British soldier killed in Afghanistan

LONDON (Reuters) - A British soldier was killed and six were wounded in a firefight with Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

The soldiers were attacked on Thursday while on patrol in Helmand, a province that has been a focus of fighting with the Taliban.

The soldier killed was with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Five of the six wounded have already returned to duty, the ministry said in a statement.

Fighting has intensified in southern Afghanistan in recent weeks with the Taliban planting more roadside bombs and ambushing British troops.

The latest death raises the number of British soldiers killed to 112 since Britain joined the United States in invading Afghanistan to oust the Taliban in 2001.

Britain has around 8,100 troops stationed in the country, serving as part of a 53,000-strong NATO-led force.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Robert Hart)