THE first Nepalese Gurkha soldier to be killed fighting in Afghanistan was named yesterday as Yubraj Rai.
The 28-year-old, from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died on Tuesday in the Musa Qala area of southern Afghanistan when a patrol came under attack.
Rifleman Rai, from the Khotang district in eastern Nepal, was the first Nepalese Gurkha
soldier to be killed in action since 1999, the Ministry of Defence said.
Last October, British Gurkha Major Alexis Roberts was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
Rifleman Rai was taking part in a joint ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces operation against enemy forces when they came under fire.
He was treated at the scene, but died from his wounds.
The Gurkha was the 122nd member of British forces to be killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001.
An avid sportsman and Manchester United fan, he followed in the footsteps of his uncle by joining the British Army in January 1999.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Darby, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: "Yubraj Rai was an extraordinary character and a hard professional soldier with a proven operational record.
"Having served his time as a driving force in 5 Platoon, he moved to a supporting role in Musa Qala, but it was typical of the man that he volunteered for a place on the operation in Dagyan when another member of his company fell ill, and a measure of his professionalism that he did it so seamlessly."
He added: "Big, strong and highly experienced, Rifleman Yubraj was known throughout the battalion for his presence, drive and his ability as a soldier.
"Yubraj was a proud Nepali, a proud soldier and was exceptionally proud of being a Gurkha rifleman.
"He knew the dangers involved in becoming a soldier and understood better than most what it meant to go to war. This was one of his greatest strengths.
"He died doing what he did best, among his greatest friends and admirers and for a cause he had taken the time to understand. He was brave, strong, hard and noble.
"He epitomised all that makes the Gurkhas great – the best. I was proud to have known him. He will not be forgotten."
The full article contains 386 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
