British Soldier Killed In Southern Afghanistan

LONDON (Reuters) -- A British soldier has been killed by enemy fire in southern Afghanistan, Britain's Ministry of Defense has said.

The soldier, from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died from wounds sustained during an operation south of Musa Qala in the southern province of Helmand.

He is the 122nd British soldier killed in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban government.

In recent months violence in Afghanistan has surged to its highest level since the Taliban were overthrown. Since moving into Helmand in 2006, British troops have engaged in almost daily exchanges with Taliban militants.

Britain has about 8,100 troops in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and train Afghan forces.