Tributes to Princes William and Harry's Army Comrade 'Baba' - an 'outstanding soldier' - who was killed by Afghan bomb - News

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An Army comrade of Princes William and Harry has been killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb.

Trooper Ratu Babakobau died after his vehicle was hit during a routine patrol in the Nowzad area of northern Helmand.

He is the 95th British soldier to be killed in the country since the war began in 2001.

The 29-year-old, who was known to friends as 'Baba', was a member of the same 60-strong squadron of the Blues and Royals section of the Household Cavalry as William and Harry.

The married father-of-two, who joined the Army in 2004 and was tipped to be his regiment's first Fijian senior NCO, had only been in Afghanistan for a month.

A Clarence House spokesman confirmed that William and the dead trooper had met several times at regimental events.

He added: "Prince William and Prince Harry are saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau and their thoughts are with his family and those of the injured at this difficult time."

Three other soldiers were also hurt in the attack on Friday afternoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Fullerton, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, said: "Trooper Ratu Babakobau was an outstanding soldier, who was destined for great things in the Regiment.

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Prince William and Prince Harry: saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau

"His loss is an enormous tragedy to the Household Cavalry."

A fellow trooper said: "He was a wonderful bloke and would do anything for anyone. I will deeply miss him as a fellow soldier but mostly as a friend."