British soldier shot dead at Afghan checkpoint 
   
A British soldier was shot dead Tuesday at a vehicle checkpoint in

 southern Afghanistan, official said.

The soldier, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles was killed in northern Helmand,

"He was part of a team from 3 Rifles partnering Afghan National Army soldiers at

 a vehicle checkpoint to the southeast of Sangin District Centre, when the

checkpoint was fired on," said Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel

 David Wakefield.

Next of kin have been informed.

The death brings to 268 the number of British troops killed since operations in

 Afghanistan began in October 2001. Of these, at least 235 were killed as a

result of hostile action.

Britain has around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely battling Taliban

militants in Helmand.

Source:Agencies