Missing soldier in Afghanistan is British-UK Defence Ministry

KABUL, July 4 (Reuters) - The British Defence Ministry said on Monday a foreign soldier who has gone missing in southern Afghanistan is British and that an extensive manhunt had been launched.

"The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a British serviceman is missing in Afghanistan. An extensive operation to locate him is under way," the Defence Ministry said in a statement, adding the soldier had gone missing early on Monday and was based in central Helmand province.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) earlier reported one of its troops had gone missing but did not give the nationality of the soldier. (Reporting by Jonathon Burch; Editing by Emma Graham-Harrison)