Kabul - A British soldier was killed in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan Saturday, the military said.

The soldier died of wounds he sustained from an explosion in Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province, a British military spokesman in the province said.

The British soldiers were conducting a foot patrol when the incident took place, he said, adding the soldier died on the spot despite receiving immediate medical treatment.

The NATO alliance in Kabul also confirmed the death of the soldier in a statement.

"Through our grief, we are strengthened in our resolve to help bring security and stability to Afghanistan," Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, an alliance's spokesman said in the statement.

More than 8,000 British soldiers are part of over 50,000-strong NATO-led international military forces in Afghanistan. Majority of British troops are stationed in southern Helmand province, where the Taliban insurgents are the most active.

In total, more than 70,000 international troops, deployed from 41 nations, are stationed in Afghanistan under the banners of NATO and US-led military coalitions. The US government is sending another 17,000 US troops by mid-summer this year. (dpa)