The missing British soldier has been found dead.
The soldier, a member of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was snatched and executed by the Taliban yesterday after he wandered off alone from a remote checkpoint in southern Afghanistan.
The soldier was reportedly shot in the back of the head and had other wounds.
The incident happened on the very day that British Prime Minister David Cameron made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. Cameron was told of the news minutes after arriving in the country.
The soldier's death is the 375th British military fatality in the Afghanistan War, which I think is more than the other 26 countries of the EU combined.
Under guard: Flanked by British soldiers and security staff, Mr Cameron undertook a walkabout at Camp BastionLast night the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the soldier’s body was found inside a four-mile cordon set up around the area he was last seen alive.
It is understood he was shot in the back of his head – which would indicate a cold-blooded execution – as well as suffering other gunshot wounds. Some of his equipment had been stolen.
An investigation is under way. The unnamed soldier was from the 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland and his family have been informed.
He was last seen alive early yesterday after finishing duty at a vehicle checkpoint named Salaang near a remote joint British and Afghan base in central Helmand province.
Instead of returning to join fellow members of 4 Scots he is said to have walked – armed and in full combat uniform – in the opposite direction.
He was seen passing a checkpoint manned by the Afghan Army and said nothing as he walked into hostile territory. Taliban positions are often only a few hundred yards from those of Nato forces.
Colleagues raised the alarm when he failed to return and a massive manhunt was launched involving British, U.S. and Afghan forces.
Within hours, a Taliban spokesman claimed they had captured and killed the soldier after a fire fight but gave no further details.
The murder cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a victory tour for Mr Cameron to highlight progress in transforming Afghanistan and preparing for a withdrawal of British troops.
The death of the British soldier showed the 'high price' being paid to stabilise the country, Mr Cameron said today.
But he insisted the campaign against the Taliban in Helmand province was having 'success' and transition to Afghan security control was 'on track'.
Speaking at a press conference alongside President Hamid Karzai in Kabul this morning, Mr Cameron said: 'This was very sad news and I want the thoughts and condolences of everyone on my team here to be with the family of that soldier who received this very sad news.'
He added the incident was 'a reminder of the high price that we have paid for the vital work we do in Afghanistan and in Helmand province'.
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