Afghan policeman killed by British troops

British troops shot and killed a policeman today as they left their base in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

The policeman – armed and wearing civilian clothes – turned towards the patrol and was gunned down, mistaken for an insurgent, Nato said in a statement.

The troops gave him first aid and took him to the closest medical centre, where he died of his wounds.

The cause of the shooting is unclear but will be investigated, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said. He confirmed that the patrol was British.

The shooting happened in Musa Qala district in Helmand province, where four British troops have been killed this month.

Nearly 4,000 British troops are based in Helmand.