Number of British troops killed in Afghanistan rises to 20

LONDON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this month rose to 20 after a soldier was killed Saturday in a bomb blast.

The British Defense Ministry said the soldier was killed in an explosion during a vehicle patrol in central Helmand province.

As of now, 189 British soldiers have died, surpassing the number killed in Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth said Friday that Britain will send 125 service personnel to Afghanistan to help sustain the progress of current operations.

"Reinforcements are necessary to ensure we can maintain our operational tempo and consolidate the real progress we have made," he said.