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| Soldier shot in Afghanistan named | Soldier shot in Afghanistan named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier shot dead in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday has been named as Cpl Richard Green. | A British soldier shot dead in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday has been named as Cpl Richard Green. |
| The 23-year-old, from Reading, who was part of 3 Rifles Recce Platoon, died after an incident at a checkpoint near Sangin in Helmand province. | The 23-year-old, from Reading, who was part of 3 Rifles Recce Platoon, died after an incident at a checkpoint near Sangin in Helmand province. |
| His family said he had recently told them: "If anything happens to me, know that I've lived life to the full, have no regrets and love my job." | His family said he had recently told them: "If anything happens to me, know that I've lived life to the full, have no regrets and love my job." |
| The death means 268 UK troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. | The death means 268 UK troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| Cpl Green, who joined the Army at the age of 16, deployed to Afghanistan in September 2009. | |
| At the time of his death he was working at a patrol base, alongside the Afghan National Army. | |
| 'Large gap' | |
| Lt Col Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 Rifles Battle Group described Cpl Green as a man at the "very top of his game" and "up to any challenge that the Army could throw at him". | |
| He said: "The Battle Group has lost one of its most capable young commanders and his sudden absence leaves both a large gap and a heavier burden. | |
| "Cut down by a gunman hiding in the shadows, Cpl Green died whilst standing firm and proud alongside the Afghan Warriors, who are increasingly taking security responsibility from the British troops here." | |
| Cpl Green's family said: "Richard was a larger-than-life character who packed so much into his short life. | |
| "He wouldn't want any of us mourning his death, rather he would want us all to celebrate his life. | |
| "We are so proud of him and will miss him more than words can ever say, but we do take comfort from the thought that, if there is a heaven, he is now having a laugh with his friends whose lives have been taken, just like his, over the past year." |