The soldier, whose next of kin have been informed, died during a UK-Nato operation to free New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell and his Afghan interpreter Sultan Munadi on Wednesday.
The abduction of Mr Farrell and Mr Munadi, who had been taken hostage by Taliban insurgents on Saturday en route to the site of a Nato air-strike in Kunduz, had been kept secret so as to not jeopardise their safety.
In a statement discussing the operation, conducted in northern Afghanistan in the early hours of the morning, the prime minister said: 'Last night, Stephen Farrell, a journalist of dual British/Irish nationality, was freed from Taliban captivity in a British operation supported by the Afghan authorities and our Nato allies.
'He is now safe and well, receiving support from embassy staff and undergoing medical checks. Sadly, we were unable to rescue Stephen's Afghan interpreter, Sultan Munadi, and we send his family our condolences.'
He said it was with 'very deep sadness that I must also confirm that, while acting with the greatest of courage in this most dangerous mission, one member of the British armed forces lost his life'.
'His family has been informed, and our immediate thoughts are with them. His bravery will not be forgotten,' the prime minister continued.
'This operation was carried out after extensive planning and consideration. Those involved knew the high risks they were running. That they undertook it in such circumstances showed breathtaking heroism. I also want to thank the Afghan authorities and our Nato allies for their support.'
Mr Brown explained that while hostage taking was never justified and Britain did not pay ransoms, the government would do 'everything in our power' to free them.
'As we all know, and as last night once again demonstrated, our armed forces have the skill and courage to act,' he said.
'They are truly the finest among us, and all of us in Britain pay tribute to them, and to the families and communities who sustain them in their awesome responsibilities.'
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