Guardsman Jamie Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was on foot patrol near to Nad Ali District Centre in central Helmand province when he was killed in the blast on Monday morning.

Three of his colleagues were also wounded in the blast which was followed by an insurgent ambush.

Guardsman Janes died en route to hospital following the conclusion of fighting.

Lieutenant Colonel Roly Walker, commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards Battle Group, paid tribute to Guardsman Janes in a statement released by the MoD.

He said: "Jamie was a soldier to his heart, and a friend to all. He knew the dangers he would face in Afghanistan but he had the courage to keep soldiering.

"He stood tall amongst his fellow men as an experienced hand who willingly stepped forward to take on the difficult task of clearing routes, and he gave the less experienced soldiers in his section huge confidence.

"He leaves behind a strong impression and his memory will inspire us. I am hugely proud of him, and humbled by his sacrifice."

Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth added: "I was very sorry to learn of the death of Guardsman Jamie Janes, a soldier who I’m told had given exemplary service since joining the Army at 16 and had a promising career ahead of him.

"He had already shown his bravery, professionalism and dependability on a previous tour of Afghanistan and was an integral part of his company. He also clearly cared deeply about his family and my thoughts are with them at this very sad time."

Since operation began in Afghanistan eight years ago, 220 British service personnel have been killed.

General Sir Richard Dannatt alleges the prime minister rejected military chiefs’ advice for an extra 2,000 troops to be sent to Helmand province.

He told the Sun newspaper British soldiers are currently fighting with "part of one arm" tied behind their back.

In the interview, Sir Richard also branded ministers "pathetic" for allegedly trying to tarnish his reputation after he raised concerns over manpower and equipment in Afghanistan.

The 58-year-old said: "The military advice has been for an uplift since the beginning of 2009.

"If the military says we need more troops and we can supply them, then frankly they should take that advice and deploy up to the level we recommend.

"If it means finding more resources and putting more energy in, let’s do it.

"If you’re going to conduct an operation, you’re doing it for a reason – to succeed."

There are currently just over 9,000 British soldiers serving in Afghanistan, but there have been increasing calls for a rise in troop numbers as the fight against the Taliban continues to show signs of stalling.

Public opinion in Britain and the US has started to turn against the ongoing military campaign, especially in light of the controversial elections held during the summer.

Downing Street has denied Sir Richard’s claims that requests for an extra 2,000 troops were rejected.

General Sir Richard Dannatt alleges the prime minister rejected military chiefs’ advice for an extra 2,000 troops to be sent to Helmand province.

He told the Sun newspaper British soldiers are currently fighting with "part of one arm" tied behind their back.

In the interview, Sir Richard also branded ministers "pathetic" for allegedly trying to tarnish his reputation after he raised concerns over manpower and equipment in Afghanistan.

The 58-year-old said: "The military advice has been for an uplift since the beginning of 2009.

"If the military says we need more troops and we can supply them, then frankly they should take that advice and deploy up to the level we recommend.

"If it means finding more resources and putting more energy in, let’s do it.

"If you’re going to conduct an operation, you’re doing it for a reason – to succeed."

There are currently just over 9,000 British soldiers serving in Afghanistan, but there have been increasing calls for a rise in troop numbers as the fight against the Taliban continues to show signs of stalling.

Public opinion in Britain and the US has started to turn against the ongoing military campaign, especially in light of the controversial elections held during the summer.

Downing Street has denied Sir Richard’s claims that requests for an extra 2,000 troops were rejected.

The soldier from 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards was on foot patrol near to Nad Ali District Centre in central Helmand province when he was killed in the blast yesterday morning.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "It is with much sadness that I have to report the death of a courageous soldier in Helmand Province.

"Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to his bereaved family, to his friends and to the many comrades of this proud and brave Guards soldier."

The soldier’s next of kin have been informed.

Since operation began in Afghanistan eight years ago, 220 British service personnel have been killed.

Mr Ainsworth was on a surprise visit to Helmand Province, along with home secretary Alam Johnson.

During the trip the minister asked Staff Sgt Kim Hughes, a bomb disposal expert, what was top of his list of things he felt were needed in the fight against the Taliban.

Mr Ainsworth asked: "So what’s your top desire from right here at the chalkface – what would you have more of today?"

Staff Sgt Hughes simply replied: "More troops on the ground."

To which, Mr Ainsworth replied: "People? Not equipment?" and Staff Sgt Hughes said: "More equipment’s ideal, I mean we have lightweight equipment coming in gradually… but more troops on the ground, more equipment, less troops on the ground, less equipment."

He added: "If you give us more troops, we can form a counter-IED (improvised explosive device) taskforce to train ground troops better."

The defence secretary countered by saying Britain could not act alone in sending more troops into Afghanistan, and greater deployments would have to part of a wider coalition effort.

"We have got to try to get others to do their share and the other thing we have got to think about is how quickly we do it… it takes time, you can throw money at this and it still takes time," he said.

The frank exchange between Staff Sgt Hughes and Mr Ainsworth comes as public backing for the ongoing military campaign in Afghanistan begins to waver.

National elections held in August were supposed to symbolise the positive steps the country had made in developing a greater democratic system and shaking free from the influence of the Taliban.

However, with allegations of wide-spread vote-rigging there are increasing concerns about the actual progress being made by the coalition forces.

Senior Aircraftsman Wojtac was killed as a result of an explosion whilst commanding his vehicle in the desert to the south of Bastion joint operating base.

The 24-year-old, who served with 34 Squadron, joined the Royal Air Force in 2005 as a gunner and has also served as a rapier operator, completing tours of duty in the Falkland Islands and Kandahar.

His family, who were informed of his death earlier this week, said: "Marcin adored life and was loved by everyone around him.

"He was a gentle giant who was admired for his caring nature and endless kindness. He placed his happiness in the happiness of others.

"His love of the military led him to a career in the Royal Air Force where he remained loyal and courageous to the end. We are so proud of him.

"Marcin is a beloved son, grandson, brother, uncle and boyfriend. His life was short but well lived and he was loved by all. Always and forever."

Senior Aircraftsman Wojtac’s commanding officer, wing commander Shaun Ryles, said the news came as a "devastating blow" to the rest of his men.

"Senior Aircraftman Wojtac was a man of great strengths; both as a formidable gunner and as a person who displayed outstanding leadership potential," Wing Commander Ryles explained.

"He was widely respected by all that had the honour to serve with him. He will leave a void that will never be replaced in our hearts and his memory will be enduring.

"Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this heartbreaking time."

Senior aircraftsman Tom Peterson, who served alongside Senior Aircraftsman Wojtac for more than five years, added: "He wasn’t your typical squaddie; he could always be relied upon to step in when there was something someone couldn’t do, no matter who you were.

"He was always thinking about others rather than himself."

He concluded: "Our thoughts are with his family and his girlfriend Sam."

Private James Prosser from Second Battalion, The Royal Welsh, was killed while on vehicle patrol in Musa Qaleh district, northern Helmand province, on Sunday.

His family paid tribute to him in a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, saying: "James is a wonderful son and brother. He is dearly loved and cherished by his family and his many friends."

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, Commanding Officer Battlegroup Northwest also commemorated the 21-year-old.

"The Battlegroup are devastated to have lost Private James Prosser," he said.

"Not only was he a gifted soldier and capable Warrior driver, he was also a popular and outgoing member of his company.

"He is a huge loss to his fellow Welshmen in Musa Qaleh. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this most tragic time."

His death brings to total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began to 218.

The Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke seized more than five-and-a-half tonnes of the illegal drug from a 138ft fishing boat of the coast of South America on September 15th.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence described how a Lynx helicopter operating on the frigate spotted the converted fishing vessel MV Cristal operating in a known narcotics trafficking region and acting suspiciously.

In a coordinated action with RFA Fort George, Iron Duke approached the vessel along with armed helicopters, ships and the US Coast Guard and Royal Navy personnel boarded the fishing boat.

A total of 212 separate bales of cocaine where discovered onboard, weighing approximately 26kg each.

Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said: "Again, the Royal Navy has successfully damaged the trade in this vile substance, which only serves to poison our communities.

"The crew rightly deserve our praise and thanks for the work they do on our behalf."

The Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke seized more than five-and-a-half tonnes of the illegal drug from a 138ft fishing boat of the coast of South America on September 15th.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence described how a Lynx helicopter operating on the frigate spotted the converted fishing vessel MV Cristal operating in a known narcotics trafficking region and acting suspiciously.

In a coordinated action with RFA Fort George, Iron Duke approached the vessel along with armed helicopters, ships and the US Coast Guard and Royal Navy personnel boarded the fishing boat.

A total of 212 separate bales of cocaine where discovered onboard, weighing approximately 26kg each.

Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said: "Again, the Royal Navy has successfully damaged the trade in this vile substance, which only serves to poison our communities.

"The crew rightly deserve our praise and thanks for the work they do on our behalf."

In a public inquiry into the death of hotel receptionist Baha Mousa, his father, Daoud Mousa, has said soldiers may have taken revenge after he reported members of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment after seeing them break into a safe.

Mr Mousa was killed in 2003 in the custody of British troops, with a post mortem showed he had died of asphyxiation and had at least 93 injuries to his body, including fractured ribs and a broken nose.

The public inquiry is looking into the death, detainee’s treatment and army methods, and is being led by retired Court of Appeal Judge William Gage.

The 26-year-old’s father, a former Iraqi police officer, said he feared his son had been singled out by troops during a hotel raid in Basra in September 2003.

Daoud Mousa told the inquiry his son had "been happy when the British troops came in" [to the hotel]. He added his son "hated" Saddam Hussein and that he himself had only reported the troops because he "thought that it was a violation of English dignity and honour, and the honour of English troops".

"My son was tortured to death in front of his colleagues," Mr Mousa said in a written statement. "It is clear that the soldiers responsible gained sadistic pleasure by laughing continually while my son was being abused."

The death of Baha Mousa has led to the conviction of Britain’s first war criminal, Cpl. Donald Payne, who was sentenced to a year in a civilian jail and dismissed from the army.