Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter, left, and L Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar

Two Kent-based soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan yesterday have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter, 29, and L Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar, 28, were killed by a man wearing an Afghan police uniform at a checkpoint in Helmand province.

They were from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone.

Defence secretary Philip Hammond said: "They have made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving in Afghanistan on an operation which is vital to our national security.

"My thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of both of these brave men at this most difficult time."

Lt Drummond-Baxter was born in Peterborough and lived in County Durham with his parents.

He leaves behind his mother Helen, father David and sister Emily.

Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter's family said in a statement: "Edward was fiercely loyal and totally sincere to his parents, sister and many friends who are mourning him today both in the UK and around the world.

"He loved the Gurkhas and died among friends doing the job that he wanted to do. Helen and David would appreciate being left to grieve in private."

1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles are based at Shorncliffe

L Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar was born in Pokhara, Nepal, where he lived with his mother and father.

He leaves behind his mother, father, stepmother, four sisters and a brother.

His family said: "We are deeply shocked, disheartened and in disbelief that Siddhanta is no longer with us.

"But we shall treasure all the good things he did. He enjoyed immensely of his profession and was fully committed towards it. He has made us proud. The whole family misses him dearly."

Their deaths brings the number of British servicemen killed by Afghan soldiers or police to 11 this year - compared to just one in 2011.