Princes' tributes to soldier victim

12 April 2012

A British soldier has died and three others were injured in Afghanistan when their patrol vehicle hit a mine.

The dead soldier was named as Trooper Ratu Babakobau, 29, from Fiji. The four were all members of the Household Cavalry Regiment. An Afghan national was also injured.

Princes William and Harry, who both serve with the regiment, paid tribute to Trooper Babakobau, who was a member of Prince William's 60-strong squadron.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "Together with the rest of the regiment both Prince William and Prince Harry are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau and their thoughts are with his family and the families of those injured at this difficult time."

Trooper Babakobau is survived by his wife Camari and two sons, Ratu Seru, four, and Ratu Sakeasi Sucumailodoni Selamu, one.

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Fullerton, the commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment said Trooper Babakobau was an outstanding soldier, and his death was an "enormous tragedy" for the regiment.

The incident happened when the soldiers were providing protection for a routine patrol in the Nowzad area of northern Helmand.

The incident takes the number of British personnel to die in Afghanistan since 2001 to 95.

An MoD spokesman said the casualties were taken to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) medical facilities at Camp Bastion when one soldier was pronounced dead on arrival.

The three other British casualties were receiving treatment for their injuries.

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