Two soldiers killed in Afghanistan as Britain's death toll in the conflict matched that of the Falklands War have been hailed for their bravery.
Corporal John Moore, 22, and Private Sean McDonald, 26, of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed by an explosion in Sangin on Sunday.
A soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment - part of the counter-IED Task Force - died on Monday, taking the total of British servicemen and women killed since operations in Afghanistan began to 256.
The pair were "professional, courageous, selfless, and committed - true infantry soldiers", Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said.
Cpl Moore, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, was commanding his section on a routine night patrol when a roadside bomb detonated, killing him and lead man, Pte McDonald, who was born in Toronto but went to school in Edinburgh.
Mr Ainsworth added: "I was so very sorry to learn of the deaths of Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald.
"Hearing about these two brave men, I am filled with admiration for their courage and loyalty.
"Corporal Moore was clearly an extremely committed leader who was ready to rise to every challenge.
"Private McDonald was obviously a soldier's soldier who knowingly took risks to help bring a better future for the people in his area of operations.
"It is very clear that both were professional, courageous, selfless, and committed - true infantry soldiers. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their loved ones."
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