Body of slain British Gurkha soldier brought home to Nepal

The body of a British Gurkha soldier who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan was repatriated to Nepal on Sunday.

Late Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar

Late Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar of 1st Batallion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was deployed in Afghanistan, when he was killed in action, in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. Lieutenant Edward Drummond was killed alongside him.

29-year-old Kunwar, son of Rambajar Kunwar, of Pokhara was killed by a militant camouflaged as an Afghan police.

LCpl Kunwar’s remains were accompanied from the UK by his parents, brother and sister and an escort from the Brigade of Gurkhas, according to a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu.

The family were met at TIA by British Gurkhas Nepal and a short ceremony (Puja) was conducted, before the party was flown to Pokhara by the Nepal Army.

According to the British Embassy, on arrival in Pokhara, a Gurkha and Police escort, conveyed the family to their home for a family service, before departing for Ramgat, for the final ritual and cremation.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time,” said Commander British Gurkhas who also thanked the Nepal Army and Police for their assistance. Nepalnews.com