A BRITISH soldier who went missing from his base in southern Afghanistan has been found dead with gunshot wounds, the Ministry of Defence said.

The body of the serviceman, from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was found after an extensive search, it said.

He had been reported missing from a Nato checkpoint in the early hours of the morning.

Taskforce spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: "He had suffered gunshot wounds. His exact cause of death is still to be established and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death are currently under investigation.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

The disappearance forced Prime Minister David Cameron to abandon part of a surprise visit to the country so resources could be deployed to the search.

A Taliban group claimed to have killed the soldier, who has not been named, in a gun battle near Babaji.