A soldier killed in Afghanistan yesterday morning was from the 2nd Battalion the Rifles and was killed in a military operation near Sangin in Helmand as friends and colleagues paid tribute to another serviceman, who lost his life on Thursday. Both men died in two separate explosions while fighting the Taliban.
Task Force Helmand spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, offered his condolences, saying: “It is with deep regret that we report the death of another soldier in Helmand Province. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to the soldiers and officers of 2nd Battalion the Rifles and the bereaved friends and family of this brave soldier.”
On Thursday Private Robert McLaren, of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion who was fresh out of infantry recruit training and had only been on active service for four weeks, was killed. The 20-year-old died during a protracted firefight with insurgents outside the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan It was only the fourth time Pte McLaren had faced enemy fire.
Today his commanding officer said McLaren, from the Isle of Mull, had given his life to protect his fellow soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said: “Robert had displayed enormous physical courage during this battle for one so young. He gave his life for his friends with his selfless commitment, moving forward in the face of a determined and ruthless enemy.”
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Yesterday his family paid tribute saying: “We are very proud of Robert. He died doing a job he loved and we will cherish fond memories of him forever.”
The recent deaths bring the number of service men and women who have lost their lives in Afghanistan up to 168.