London  - A British soldier was killed in a firefight while on patrol with Afghan troops in volatile southern Afghanistan, the British Defence Ministry said.

The soldier died Friday in the exchange of fire north of Musa Qaleh in Helmand province, the ministry said late Friday without giving further details.

The death brought the British toll in Afghanistan to 143 since its 2001 deployment there. Six soldiers have been killed so far this year in fighting with Taliban militants. (dpa)