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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| First Gurkha dies in Afghanistan | First Gurkha dies in Afghanistan |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British Army soldier killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Rifleman Yubraj Rai. | A British Army soldier killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Rifleman Yubraj Rai. |
| The 28-year-old, from Khotang district in eastern Nepal, was the first Nepalese Gurkha to die in the conflict. | |
| His death on Tuesday brought the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 122. | His death on Tuesday brought the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 122. |
| Rifleman Rai, from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was killed in the Musa Qala area of Helmand province. | Rifleman Rai, from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was killed in the Musa Qala area of Helmand province. |
| The MoD said Rifleman Rai was taking part in a joint International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security Forces operation when his patrol came under attack. | The MoD said Rifleman Rai was taking part in a joint International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security Forces operation when his patrol came under attack. |
| He received medical treatment at the scene, but died a short time later from his wounds. | He received medical treatment at the scene, but died a short time later from his wounds. |
| 'Extraordinary character' | 'Extraordinary character' |
| In October 2007 Major Alexis Roberts of The Royal Gurkha Rifles died when a device hidden in a road exploded while he was travelling to Kandahar Airfield. | |
| The 32-year-old, from Kent, was Prince William's platoon commander at Sandhurst. | |
| Rifleman Rai joined the Army in January 1999, following in the footsteps of his uncle who was also a Gurkha. | Rifleman Rai joined the Army in January 1999, following in the footsteps of his uncle who was also a Gurkha. |
| He had been employed as his company's storeman, but had recently volunteered to deploy with 5 Platoon to replace another rifleman who had fallen ill. | |
| He epitomised all that makes the Gurkhas great - the best Lieutenant Colonel Chris Darby | |
| His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Darby said: "Yubraj Rai was an extraordinary character and a hard professional soldier with a proven operational record. | His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Darby said: "Yubraj Rai was an extraordinary character and a hard professional soldier with a proven operational record. |
| "Big, strong and highly experienced, Rfn Yubraj was one of the cornerstones of his Company and he was known throughout the battalion for his presence, drive and his ability as a soldier. | "Big, strong and highly experienced, Rfn Yubraj was one of the cornerstones of his Company and he was known throughout the battalion for his presence, drive and his ability as a soldier. |
| "He died doing what he did best, amongst his greatest friends and admirers and for a cause he had taken the time to understand. | "He died doing what he did best, amongst his greatest friends and admirers and for a cause he had taken the time to understand. |
| "He epitomised all that makes the Gurkhas great - the best." | "He epitomised all that makes the Gurkhas great - the best." |
| Defence Secretary John Hutton offered his condolences to the Gurkha's family, friends and comrades. | Defence Secretary John Hutton offered his condolences to the Gurkha's family, friends and comrades. |
| "I was very saddened to hear of the death of Rifleman Yubraj Rai," he said. | "I was very saddened to hear of the death of Rifleman Yubraj Rai," he said. |
| "I am told he stood out as a selfless, tough and dependable soldier. These qualities marked him out very early in his career as an ideal candidate for service with D (Gurkha Reinforcement) Company." | |
| Hill town | |
| Rifleman Rai had served in Iraq, Sierra Leone and Bosnia, and on a previous tour in Afghanistan. | Rifleman Rai had served in Iraq, Sierra Leone and Bosnia, and on a previous tour in Afghanistan. |
| He was described as "an avid sportsman who enjoyed all competition", but his number one passion was football and in particular, Manchester United. | He was described as "an avid sportsman who enjoyed all competition", but his number one passion was football and in particular, Manchester United. |
| "Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army. | |
| The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded. | |
| Soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal - with about 28,000 youths tackling the selection procedure for just over 200 places each year. | |
| That process has been described as one of the toughest in the world and is fiercely contested. |