Military forensic experts are today investigating explosives traces from the latest roadside bomb device which killed another British soldier in southern Iraq in an overnight attack.

The soldier from the Coldstream Guards, who died from injuries sustained when the bomb detonated near his Land Rover in Basra, was due to have returned home in the next few days after completing his six-month tour.

He was the 97th British serviceman to die in Iraq since Operation Telic, Britain’s campaign in southern Iraq, was launched in March 2003.

The soldier was dismounted from his "snatch" armoured Land Rover, checking out the route of his two-vehicle patrol, when the improvised explosive device was detonated close to him. Three other British soldiers were injured, although not seriously.

The forensic experts are trying to discover whether the roadside bomb is similar to other recent more sophisticated devices which have killed eight British soldiers since May. The British Government has accused Iran of implicit involvement in the recent attacks because the advanced devices bear the hallmark of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation which is funded and supported by Tehran.

The new devices, called 'explosively formed projectiles', are shaped copper slugs that travel at five km a second and can pierce through armour. They are set off by a passive infra-red trip-wire.

To try and counter the new threat, the British military have introduced a number of changes to procedure, including varying modes of transport and choosing different routes and timings of patrols.

Defence sources said it was not yet clear whether the latest explosive device was based on the same technology.

John Reid, the Defence Secretary, said: "The death of this British soldier in Iraq deeply saddens me. All our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this very difficult time."

The dead soldier’s regiment was part of a British battle group which is now in the process of being replaced. The 12th Mechanised Brigade is being replaced by 7th Armoured Brigade and all the units serving with it have been preparing for their return home.

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