by Chris Denham

A Gurkha has been killed in action in Afghanistan.

He has been named locally as Corporal Kumar Purja Pun, who lived in Dover with his wife, Paru Pun and two young daughters.

It is believed Cpl Pun was killed by a suicide bomber in Gereshk.

A member of the First Gurkha Rifles, Cpl Pun was serving with Foxtrot Company, part of the Second RGR based at Folkestone.

Cpl Pun had signed up to the army in 1996, and was killed on Thursday.

Cllr Dhan Gurung, of Folkestone Town Council, paid tribute to the soldier and said his death had touched everybody.

"This is a terrible, terrible tragedy," he said. "People are so shocked and it is not just within the Gurkha community that his death will be felt, but everbody in Dover and Folkestone.

"The family have my greatest condolences."