Gurkhas from across the area have paid tribute to a senior comrade who was killed in Afghanistan at the weekend.

Colour Sergeant Krishnabahadur Dura, who has been based in both Church Crookham and Aldershot, died in Helmand province on Saturday after the vehicle he was travelling in was blown up.

The Ministry of Defence said Col Sgt Dura, 36, was taking part in a road move in the Musa Qaleh district of Helmand when the Warrior armoured troop carrier he was in was struck by an explosive device.

The married father-of-two was part of the 2nd Brigade, Royal Gurkha Rifles based in Kent, but he started his Army career in Church Crookham, where he stayed for 18 months.

After impressing his seniors, Col Sgt Dura was posted to an attachment with 2 PARA, the Parachute regiment, then based in Aldershot, before rejoining his regular Gurkha regiment in 1997.

His friend, Yubaraj Rai, told the News that his family and friends were “very, very sad”.

“We were friends before we even joined the Army and we were in the same company together,” Mr Rai said.

“Everybody is very sad about this news. There is nothing that we can say or do.
“He was such a lovely guy and a really good character. He was very honest — one of the good guys.

“He was a great bloke who was very bright and his future was looking very bright. He was good with all kinds of people.

“It is very sad. We can’t do anything about it now.”

Col Sgt Dura came from the Lamjung district of western Nepal. During his Army service he became renowned as a crack shot with a rifle and was given command of a sniper platoon.

He was on his third tour of Afghanistan when he was killed. He had previously served with his British Army comrades in Bosnia Herze-govina, East Timor, and twice in Sierra Leone.

Sergeant Shreeman Limbu said Col Sgt Dura was a close friend, socially and professionally.

“We worked together for many years including through the hardships shared by D Company on previous tours of Afghanistan and as my platoon sergeant until 2007,” he said.

“He was an inspiration to serve under, open and ever ready to help.
 
“As a commander, neigh-bour and close family friend he always had the time of day for people and never turned anyone away.

“We would regularly find an excuse to celebrate any event together in our neighbourhood.

“Joined with his kindness, he was a warrior, a master sniper, renowned for his ‘josh’ and a rising star in the battalion, one of the keenest soldiers in the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

“Our thoughts are with his wife and two young children he leaves behind, who will be looked after by the strong community of this well loved man’s many friends back home.”