The The soldier who was killed in Afghanistan at the weekend has been named as Rifleman Vijay Rai.

The 21-year-old, from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles who are sometimes based at Folkestone, was shot when the checkpoint he and his team were protecting in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province came under fire.

He was born in Bhojpur District in the East of Nepal in 1990 and enlisted into the British Army in 2008.

On October 15, Rifleman Rai took over a sentry position. About an hour later the checkpoint was attacked with small arms fire and he was hit in the opening burst.

He was given medical care on the ground and evacuated to Bastion hospital by helicopter but later died of his wounds.

Rifleman Vijay's family said:"Our family is shocked with the news of Vijay's death in Afghanistan. He was the youngest son. He followed his father's and brother's footsteps as his father and elder brother served as Indian Gurkhas and his middle brother is serving with Indian Gurkhas as a Sergeant. He rang his family a day before he was taken away from us.

"He was very proud to be a Gurkha, and died doing his chosen job. His father and family members are very proud of him."

Lieutenant Colonel Fraser Rea, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR), also paid tribute:"2 RGR has lost a fine Gurkha soldier. Rifleman Vijay was tough, loyal, uncomplaining and utterly professional.

"His death, coming so close to the end of the tour and with the majority of 2 RGR now back in Brunei, has rocked the Battalion. Our pain, however, is nothing compared to that of his family. He was the youngest of five siblings and leaves loving parents, two brothers and two sisters behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time."

It was his first tour of the country.

Gurkha Recruit Intake 2009 and close friends, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said:"Vijay was one of the most respected members of his intake and a devoted friend to all of us."