Bravery And Sacrifice: Honoring The Fallen Gurkhas In Afghanistan

Gurkhas are elite, fearless warriors from Nepal who serve in the Nepalese, British, and Indian armies. They have served in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban government. The Gurkhas' reputation for exceptional bravery, ability, and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds is well-known. The death of Cpl Kumar, a Gurkha who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2009, brought attention to the crucial role that Nepali security personnel play in protecting officials, diplomats, and companies in the country.

Corporal Kumar Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles killed by a suicide bomber

Corporal Kumar Pun of the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Thursday, 7 May 2009. He was 31 years old.

Born on 30 November 1977 in the Parbat district of western Nepal, Corporal Kumar Pun was the son of a British Gurkha. He joined the British Army in 1996, passing the rigorous selection process to join one of the most feared regiments in the world. Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Corporal Pun had served in Kosovo and Bosnia and was an experienced soldier.

In Afghanistan, Corporal Pun was a section commander, leading a 15-man team in Gereshk, Helmand Province. He was also responsible for mentoring the Afghan National Police, passing on his unique skills and expertise. He was known for his calm and patient demeanour, as well as his exceptional leadership abilities. Major Chris Conroy, the company's commanding officer, described Corporal Pun as "unstintingly professional, calm and respectful of all, never failing to help and always willing to volunteer".

On the day of his death, Corporal Pun was on patrol with Sergeant Ben Ross of the Royal Military Police when a suicide bomber on a motorbike attacked. The blast killed both soldiers and at least 16 Afghan civilians, with over 30 others wounded.

Corporal Kumar Pun's death shocked his fellow soldiers and friends, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him. He was remembered as a brave and dedicated soldier, a loyal friend, and a loving husband and father to his wife Parbati and two daughters, Klaudine and Petrina. A military funeral with Buddhist rites was held on 30 May 2009 at Aldershot Military Cemetery in Hampshire, England.

Yubraj Rai, the first Gurkha killed in Afghanistan

Yubraj Rai was the first Gurkha soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. The 28-year-old was part of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and was killed in the Musa Qala area of Helmand province in November 2008. He was shot during an operation to clear the southern districts of Musa Qala, after intelligence revealed that the Taliban had consolidated their forces almost a year after British troops seized control of the town.

Rai was a proud Nepali and an avid sportsman. He was a Manchester United fan and a keen footballer. He joined the British Army in January 1999, following in the footsteps of his uncle, who was also a Gurkha. He had previously served in Iraq, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, and on a previous tour of Afghanistan.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Darby, described him as an "extraordinary character" and a "hard professional soldier with a proven operational record." Darby further added that Rai "epitomised all that makes the Gurkhas great – the best."

Yubraj Rai was one of the cornerstones of his company and was known for his presence, drive, and ability as a soldier. He was brave, strong, and noble, and died among his friends, fighting for a cause he believed in.

Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter and L/Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar shot dead by a man in an Afghan police uniform

On 30 October 2012, Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter and Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar were killed in Afghanistan. The two men, who were part of the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were participating in a shura (meeting) with members of the Afghan Uniform Police inside the checkpoint when they were shot and killed by a man wearing an Afghan police uniform.

Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter, 29, gave the man an AK-47 as he was leaving the checkpoint. The man then used the weapon to shoot Lt Drummond-Baxter in the head and L/Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar, 28, twice in the chest before fleeing.

Lt Drummond-Baxter was born in Peterborough on 15 September 1983 and lived in County Durham with his parents. He had studied at University College London and gained a BSc degree in Psychology. While at university, he was an active member of his local Army Reserves regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company. He had also spent two years working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including a posting to Japan, before joining the British Army. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2010 and was commissioned into 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in December 2010.

L/Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar, born on 19 June 1984 in Pokhara, Nepal, had joined the Battalion in October 2005. He had previously served in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2005-2006 as part of the European Union Force in support of the Bosnian Government. He had also conducted extensive jungle training in Brunei and qualified as a sniper in 2007. L/Cpl Kunwar was on his third operational tour of Afghanistan.

The families of both men paid tribute to their bravery and commitment to the force. Lt Drummond-Baxter's family described him as "fiercely loyal and totally sincere", while L/Cpl Kunwar's family said they were "deeply shocked, disheartened and in disbelief" but would "treasure all the good things he did".

The incident was later described as a "green-on-blue" attack, referring to insider attacks where Afghans turn their weapons on their coalition colleagues. It was the latest in a series of such attacks, bringing the number of British servicemen killed by Afghan soldiers or police to 11 in 2012.

Gurkhas' bravery and heroism in the face of danger

Gurkhas are Nepalese soldiers known for their exceptional bravery, ability, and heroism in the face of danger. They have served in the Nepalese, British, and Indian armies since the end of the Anglo-Nepalese War in 1816. Their reputation for courage and skill in battle is so great that it is said that no one goes to war with Nepal because of the Gurkhas.

Gurkhas have fought in several wars, including both World Wars, the Falklands War, and numerous conflicts in Afghanistan. They first served in Afghanistan during the First Anglo-Afghan War from 1839 to 1842, as part of the British forces attempting to install a more compliant ruler. The Gurkhas fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War from 1878 to 1880, participating in more set-piece battles than the previous guerilla skirmishes. They also played a role in the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919, leading the drive to push Afghan forces back across the border.

Gurkhas have continued to serve with distinction in Afghanistan in recent years, often as part of the British Army. For example, in 2010, Acting Sergeant Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles single-handedly fought off more than a dozen Taliban insurgents who attacked his checkpoint. Pun used all his ammunition and even resorted to throwing his machine-gun tripod at an insurgent, knocking him off the roof. For his bravery, he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, Britain's second-highest medal for valour.

In another incident in 2008, Captain Gajendera Angdembe and Riflemen Dhan Gurung and Manju Gurung of the Gurkhas demonstrated their bravery and commitment to leaving no soldier behind. Under heavy fire, they carried a fatally wounded comrade, Yubraj Rai, across 325 feet of open ground to safety.

Gurkhas have also served in Afghanistan as private security guards, protecting officials, diplomats, and companies. In 2016, a suicide bomber attacked a minibus carrying Nepali security workers, killing 13 Nepalis. Despite the dangers, the Gurkhas have consistently demonstrated their bravery and commitment to protecting others, both as soldiers and security personnel.

Gurkhas' role in protecting officials, diplomats and companies in Afghanistan

Gurkhas have played a crucial role in protecting officials, diplomats, and companies in Afghanistan. They have been involved in conflicts in Afghanistan since the 1840s and have participated in all recent operations in the country.

In recent times, Gurkhas have served as private security guards in Afghanistan, protecting officials, diplomats, and companies. Many of these Gurkhas are former soldiers from Nepal who have served in the Nepali, Indian, or British military. They are often hired by private contractors and work under conditions that have drawn protests from labor activists. Despite the dangers and controversial conditions, the appeal of security jobs in Afghanistan persists due to the poverty in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in Asia.

In 2016, a suicide bomber attacked a minibus carrying Nepali security workers hired to protect Canada's embassy in Afghanistan. Nine of the security workers were killed immediately, and 13 Nepalis were among the dead. This incident highlighted the crucial role that Nepali security personnel play in protecting officials and diplomats in Afghanistan.

Gurkhas have also been deployed to Afghanistan as part of the UK's international security force. In 2019, a 120-strong squad of Gurkhas was sent to Afghanistan, where they were expected to gain the trust of Afghans due to their ethnic origin and language skills. Their ability to acclimatize quickly to high altitudes was also seen as an advantage if they needed to fight in mountainous regions. The Gurkhas were part of 2 Para, a company involved in the British-led peacekeeping mission to patrol the country's war-torn streets. Their mission was to protect NATO military and civilian advisers and UK advisers based at the Afghan National Army Officers' Academy.

Gurkha soldiers have a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, dating back to the Anglo-Afghan Wars of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They have played a key role in Anglo-Afghan relations and have participated in numerous conflicts and operations in the region.

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