ianstone
10-04-2010, 08:45 AM
Family's Tribute To 'Very Proud Gurkha'
Comments (3) (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Rifleman-Suraj-Gurung-Killed-In-Afghanistan-British-Gurkha-Died-While-On-Patrol-In-Helmand/Article/201010115751386?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15751386_Rifleman_Suraj_Gurung_Killed_ In_Afghanistan%3A_British_Gurkha_Died_While_On_Pat rol_In_Helmand#comments)
12:45pm UK, Monday October 04, 2010
Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online
The family of a soldier killed by a suicide bomber in southern Afghanistan has said he "died doing a job he loved".
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Oct/Week1/15751347.jpg Rifleman Suraj's grandfather and father both served with the British in India
Rifleman Suraj Gurung (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RiflemanSurajGurungKilledInAfghanistan.htm), from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died on Saturday while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
He was at the front of his platoon when a suicide bomber approached the soldiers and blew himself up.
The 22-year-old had followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, who both served with the British in India.
Rifleman Suraj was born and raised in a Nepalese hill town and passed the notoriously gruelling process for Gurkha selection into the British Army in December 2007.
He had only recently married and his father-in-law also served in the British Army.
Rifleman Suraj's devastated family said in a statement: "He was a very caring son and loving husband.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Nov/Week2/15449565.jpg (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Interactive-Graphics/fallenheroes)
"He loved the Army and was very proud to be a Gurkha, and died doing a job he loved. His family members are very proud of him."
His colleagues described his as a "cracking soldier" who was brave, courageous and compassionate.
Major Khusiman Gurung, Gurkha Major from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said a dark cloud had been cast over his fellow servicemen.
"His life was taken in a cowardly act whilst he was carrying out an important role for the security and development of Afghanistan," he said.
"He was utterly loyal and dedicated to his profession; it was a job he loved.
"He was known for being courageous, selfless and ambitious and he will be remembered as such.
"He will always remain in our hearts and memories."
A total of 339 British troops have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001.
R.I.P. The words written above say it all.
My respects to his family
Comments (3) (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Rifleman-Suraj-Gurung-Killed-In-Afghanistan-British-Gurkha-Died-While-On-Patrol-In-Helmand/Article/201010115751386?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15751386_Rifleman_Suraj_Gurung_Killed_ In_Afghanistan%3A_British_Gurkha_Died_While_On_Pat rol_In_Helmand#comments)
12:45pm UK, Monday October 04, 2010
Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online
The family of a soldier killed by a suicide bomber in southern Afghanistan has said he "died doing a job he loved".
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Oct/Week1/15751347.jpg Rifleman Suraj's grandfather and father both served with the British in India
Rifleman Suraj Gurung (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RiflemanSurajGurungKilledInAfghanistan.htm), from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died on Saturday while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
He was at the front of his platoon when a suicide bomber approached the soldiers and blew himself up.
The 22-year-old had followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, who both served with the British in India.
Rifleman Suraj was born and raised in a Nepalese hill town and passed the notoriously gruelling process for Gurkha selection into the British Army in December 2007.
He had only recently married and his father-in-law also served in the British Army.
Rifleman Suraj's devastated family said in a statement: "He was a very caring son and loving husband.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Nov/Week2/15449565.jpg (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Interactive-Graphics/fallenheroes)
"He loved the Army and was very proud to be a Gurkha, and died doing a job he loved. His family members are very proud of him."
His colleagues described his as a "cracking soldier" who was brave, courageous and compassionate.
Major Khusiman Gurung, Gurkha Major from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said a dark cloud had been cast over his fellow servicemen.
"His life was taken in a cowardly act whilst he was carrying out an important role for the security and development of Afghanistan," he said.
"He was utterly loyal and dedicated to his profession; it was a job he loved.
"He was known for being courageous, selfless and ambitious and he will be remembered as such.
"He will always remain in our hearts and memories."
A total of 339 British troops have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001.
R.I.P. The words written above say it all.
My respects to his family