5 May 2008

Fiji national named as British solider killed in Afghanistan

11:09 am on 5 May 2008

A British soldier killed when his patrol vehicle hit a mine in Afghanistan has been named as Trooper Ratu Babakobau, 29, from Fiji.

Three other soldiers were injured in the explosion as they were providing protection for a routine patrol in Helmand province's Nowzad area.

The four soldiers were all members of the Household Cavalry Regiment, the same regiment as Prince Harry.

An Afghan translator was also seriously injured in the attack.

The Ministry of Defence said Trooper Babakobau only arrived in Afghanistan last month and was on his first mission overseas.

The married father of two young boys joined the Army in 2004 and served in both the Mounted Regiment and the Household Cavalry.