MoD names three soldiers killed in Afghanistan

THREE British soldiers shot dead by a man wearing an Afghan police uniform have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Guardsman Craig Andrew Roderick and Guardsman Apete Saunikalou Ratumaiyale Tuisovurua of the 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards and Warrant Officer Leonard Perran Thomas of the Royal Corps of Signals died on Sunday.

The men, members of an Afghan Police Advisory Team, had been helping organise a meeting of elders at a Helmand checkpoint when they were shot. They received first aid at the scene but died of their injuries.

A man believed to be responsible for the Nahr-e-Saraj shooting is in custody, the MoD said.

WO Thomas, 44, who was on his final tour in Afghanistan, leaves behind his mother Sylvia, partner Rachel and younger brother Tristan, 43.

Cardiff-born Guardsman Roderick, 22, leaves behind his parents Mike and Sadie, two sisters Katie and Lucinda Emily, step-brother Jay, grandmother Margaret, and girlfriend Zoe.

Fijian Guardsman Tuisovurua, 28, had been a soldier for little more than a year, having finished his training in June 2011.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “I am saddened to hear of this cowardly act which has taken the lives of three very brave soldiers.”