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Search continues for killer of Gurkha trio
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From left, Major James Joshua Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun
KENT NEWS:

The hunt is still on for the rebel Afghan soldier who gunned down three members of a Folkestone-based regiment in Helmand last week.

The bodies of Major James Joshua Bowman, 34, Lieutenant Neal Turkington, 26, and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, 33, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were driven through Wootton Bassett yesterday (Tue, Wed 20) after being flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

They were killed on Tuesday, July 13, while on duty in Nahr-e-Sarj.

The suspect, named locally as Talib Hussein, is the subject of a huge manhunt and is believed to be hiding with the Taliban.

In a phone interview with the BBC, 21-year-old Hussein claimed responsibility and accused British troops of killing civilians, including children.

Lt Turkington and Cpl Pun were killed when he fired a rocket-propelled grenade into the command centre.

Maj Bowman, from Salisbury, was described as a “brave leader” by Lt Col Gerald Strickland MBE, commanding officer of the battalion.

“The tragedy of his loss is beyond words,” he said.

“It is a bitter irony that after driving the insurgents back throughout his area, he was gunned down as he slept in the supposed security of his patrol base.”

A statement from Maj Bowman’s family said he would be sadly missed by family and friends: “He loved the Army and was proud of the selfless work that he and his company were doing.”

Lt Turkington, from Northern Ireland, was about to celebrate his 27th birthday when he died.

His family said they were devastated by his death. A statement read: “One of Neal’s proudest moments was hearing he had been commissioned to join the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

“He felt honoured and privileged to serve with such distinguished, courageous and loyal men.

“Neal was jovial, kind, considerate and loyal to his family and friends. Our family were inspired by his presence and generosity.

“He was relentless and steadfast in his pursuit of those causes he believed in with his passion for making a difference whatever the circumstance.

“We are all so proud of him – we couldn’t have asked for a finer son, brother and friend.”

His comrades – who referred to him as The Turk – called him a courageous platoon commander and true friend.

Cpl Pun, who was raised and recruited from Khibang village in the Magdi district in Nepal, was enlisted into the British Army in 1995 after a gruelling selection process.

His wife, Durga, said: “Arjun Puja Pun was a tremendous husband. He was proud to be a soldier and died doing a job he loved.

“We are devastated by the loss of Arjun, who was a loving husband and father. We are proud that he was prepared to do his duty helping the people of Afghanistan.”

He was described as determined and brave by his comrades, and “a top-rated soldier”.

Major Simon Archer said: “He will be remembered for his true Gurkha spirit and ever-present smile.”

1st Bn RGR is based at Shorncliffe and divides its training between there and Brunei.
POSTED: 21/07/2010 11:47:57

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