LONDON, Dec 25 (Reuters) – A British Royal Marine was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday during fighting with insurgents in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

The soldier was taking part in combat operations near Lashkar Gah, the MoD said.

There have been more than 130 British fatalities since the conflict began in late 2001 when Britain joined a U.S-led invasion of Afghanistan.