Tributes to soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Sapper Darren Foster, from Ripon-based 21 Engineer Regiment, died of gunshot wounds in the Sangin District of Helmand on Friday.

He had been in Afghanistan for less than a month.

The family of the 20-year-old, from Carlisle, said: "He was a loving son, grandson and brother who will be sorely missed for his crazy flamboyant lifestyle. His only aim was to serve in the Army, for which he made us all proud."

Lieutenant Colonel Bobby Walton-Knight, Commanding Officer, 21 Engineer Regiment Group, said: "From the moment he arrived in the regiment he was pushing to get out to Afghanistan as soon as he could.

"He arrived full of energy, itching to join his fellow Sappers and was quickly in the thick of it in Sangin."

Tributes were also paid to Rifleman Remand Kulung, 27, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who died from injuries suffering when a helicopter struck a watch tower at Bahadur patrol base. He was was originally from Nepal and joined The Royal Gurkha Rifles in December 2004.

Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), said: "He was the epitome of the Gurkha soldier: Brave, determined and dedicated to his fellow soldiers."

The Ministry of Defence has announced the death of another soldier from the Queen's Gurkha Engineers serving with 21 Engineer Regiment. He was killed during small arms fire in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province on Friday. The British death toll in Afghanistan now stands at 331.