by Helen Fairley

Maidstone's 36 Engineer Regiment is mourning the loss of its second soldier in just over a week.

The Ministry of Defence has announced that a soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment, serving as part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force in Afghanistan, died from wounds received as a result of an explosion on Monday.

The soldier was near Patrol Base EZARAY, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre in Helmand Province, when the explosion happened.

The death comes one week after the regiment, which is based at Invicta Barracks in Maidstone, lost WO2 David Markland, who also died while on duty in Afghanistan.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: "It is with deep sadness I must confirm that a soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment, serving as part of the Counter-IED Task Force, was killed by an explosion this afternoon.

"He was one of that unique breed who go out again and again to confront the dangers of IEDs, determined to save lives. His indomitable courage will not be forgotten."

Next of kin have been informed.

Neither of the deaths were connected to Operation MOSHTARAK.