Three of the soldiers were from the Grenadier Guards and two from the Royal Military police.
The soldiers' next of kin have been informed and an investigation into the attack has been launched.
The MoD said in a statement released this morning all five of the soldiers were killed as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an attack in the Nad-e'Ali District of Helmand province on Tuesday afternoon.
Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Taskforce Helmand said: 'It is with the deepest sadness I must inform you that five British soldiers were shot and killed yesterday in Nad-e'Ali district.
'Five British soldiers, five of our own, shot down in the course of their duty. They will not be forgotten.'
Later in TV interviews, Lt Col Wakefield claimed it appeared an individual policeman had opened fire inside the checkpoint before fleeing the scene.
The deaths take the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 229.
Commenting on the news defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said: 'I was extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of these courageous soldiers.
'My very deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with the loss of these outstanding men.
'It continues to be a difficult year in Afghanistan for our brave people who are operating within the most challenging area of the country. We owe it to them to show the resolve that they exhibit every day in building security and stability in Afghanistan and protecting the UK from the threat of terrorism.'
Gordon Brown also released a statement paid tribute to the soldiers.
'The death of five brave soldiers in a single incident is a terrible loss,' the prime minister said.
'They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us from the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.'
The soldiers' next of kin have been informed and an investigation into the attack has been launched.
The MoD said in a statement released this morning all five of the soldiers were killed as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an attack in the Nad-e'Ali District of Helmand province on Tuesday afternoon.
Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Taskforce Helmand said: 'It is with the deepest sadness I must inform you that five British soldiers were shot and killed yesterday in Nad-e'Ali district.
'Five British soldiers, five of our own, shot down in the course of their duty. They will not be forgotten.'
Later in TV interviews, Lt Col Wakefield claimed it appeared an individual policeman had opened fire inside the checkpoint before fleeing the scene.
The deaths take the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 229.
Commenting on the news defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said: 'I was extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of these courageous soldiers.
'My very deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with the loss of these outstanding men.
'It continues to be a difficult year in Afghanistan for our brave people who are operating within the most challenging area of the country. We owe it to them to show the resolve that they exhibit every day in building security and stability in Afghanistan and protecting the UK from the threat of terrorism.'
Gordon Brown also released a statement paid tribute to the soldiers.
'The death of five brave soldiers in a single incident is a terrible loss,' the prime minister said.
'They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us from the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.'
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