Scot was among Paras killed in suicide blast

A SCOTTISH teenager was among the three soldiers whose deaths in Afghanistan brought the total number of British fatalities to 100.

Private David Murray, 19, had followed his uncle and grandfathers into the army and was the Parachute Regiment's champion recruit. He had been in Afghanistan for two months when he and two colleagues were killed on Sunday by a suicide bomber.

Born in Dumfries but raised in Carlisle, Private Murray was described by his platoon commander, Lieutenant David True, as a "thoroughly focused and effective soldier who was mature beyond his years".

He was the 10th member of the UK military born in Scotland to die in Afghanistan since the US-led military campaign against al-Qaeda and the Taleban began in October 2001.

In a statement, Private Murray's family described him as a "little guy with a big heart". They said: "David always dreamed of being a soldier like his uncle, papa and grandad. He made us proud, every day, in everything he did."

The other soldiers were named as Privates Nathan Cuthbertson and Daniel Gamble. All three belonged to the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. A fourth soldier is wounded but is expected to make a full recovery.

The troops had been on foot patrol in Upper Sangin Valley in Helmand province and were returning to their base when the attack occurred. Private Cuthbertson, 19, was from Sunderland. Private Gamble, 22 from East Sussex, who was a Pashto linguist, had been speaking to an Afghani man when the patrol was attacked.

Lieutenant Colonel Joe O'Sullivan, the commanding officer of 2 Para, said: "They died doing their duty and doing their best, taking care with a potential threat, but also understanding the importance of connecting to the people around them."

He said all had experienced combat with the Taleban in their two months in Afghanistan and had shown the "clear, cold courage" that was the hallmark of their regiment.

Private Gamble's parents said: "Dan died doing the job he was so proud to do, with the regiment he was so proud to be a part of. He was special to his family and friends – a true hero in every sense. Our hearts go out to the families of the comrades who fell with him."

The tributes came as Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, said he was convinced that Britain's presence in Afghanistan should continue. About 7,800 UK troops are part of a 37-nation NATO operation to support the country's fledgling democracy, fight Taleban rebels and prevent al-Qaeda returning .

Mr Brown said: "They have paid the ultimate price, but they have achieved something of lasting value – helping turn a lawless region sheltering terrorists into an emerging democracy."

Des Browne, who has visited Afghanistan six times in his two years as Defence Secretary, admitted progress was painfully slow but said Afghanistan was the "noble cause of the 21st century". Up to seven million children were now in school and the road infrastructure was being developed, he said.

He added: "There is progress which doesn't always get the coverage that it deserves. This country has had a democratic government for four years, against a background of the most brutal violence."

TIMELINE

AFGHANISTAN was invaded in 2001 by a US-led coalition in response to the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington, the aim being to prevent the country from being a safe haven for al-Qaeda terrorists. The RAF and Royal Navy provided support.

UK servicemen and women were first deployed in November 2001, when Royal Marines helped to secure Bargar airfield. UK forces levels hit 2,100 the following month.

Nato took control of operations in late 2003. In January 2006, 3,300 UK troops were deployed to Helmand, where they now number 7,300. There are around 50,000 coalition troops in total in Afghanistan.