Investigation launched after 'Highlander' soldier found dead
A SOLDIER from the Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, has been found dead.
He has been named as 20-year-old Scott McLaren, from the Sighthill area of Edinburgh.
A search was launched after he left the base in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan alone in the early hours of Monday morning.
Taskforce spokesman, Lieut Col Tim Purbrick, said the soldier had suffered gunshot wounds and an investigation to establish the exact cause of his death was being carried out.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who is visiting Afghanistan, said he was "deeply saddened" by the death.
His schedule had to be revised as the helicopters which were due to take him on a tour were being used to search for the soldier.
The number of British military deaths in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 375.
