One British soldier has been killed and two others were injured in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The soldier, from the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, died after being shot while on an operation near Gereshk in Helmand province.
He was evacuated by helicopter but was pronounced dead on arrival at the field hospital.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed, the MoD said.
The soldier was operating as part of the 1st Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment battle group, which is working to improve security in the Helmand River valley.
During an encounter with enemy forces on Thursday morning, he suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
The MoD said: "He was rapidly evacuated by helicopter and despite the very best efforts of emergency medical staff he was pronounced dead on arrival at the field hospital."
Two other soldiers were separately injured in the same operation, and are now receiving treatment.
The latest death brings the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 to 64.
Of these, 41 were killed in action or died as a result of injuries sustained in action, while 23 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents.
