Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (Pic:MOD/PA Wire)

Soldiers in Helmand province

A British soldier tragically died in an apparent suicide on the Afghan front line yesterday.

The member of 200 Signals Squadron was killed at a British patrol base in Nahr-e-Saraj, Helmand Province.

It is thought he died from a gunshot and Royal Military Police investigators are not looking for anyone in connection with his death. A full investigation will include interviewing the soldier's comrades.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gordon MacKenzie said: "This tragic death is now under investigation, but is not thought to be as a result of hostile action. Our heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends."

The soldier – the 396th to die in Afghanistan since the post 9-11 toppling of the Taliban – will be named later this week.

There are now around 9,000 British ­military personnel in theatre, where troops have been since the 9-11 attacks in 2001.

The toughest fighting was in 2006 when the Paras, 42 Commando Royal Marines and the Royal Anglian Regiment stormed Helmand Province to stamp out a resurgence of the Taliban.