Sarah Shaffi

FOLKESTONE'S Gurkha battalion is departing for its tour of duty in war-afghanistan.torn

The movement of soldiers of Royal Gurkha Rifles, who are based at Shorncliffe Barracks, has started. All the troops should be in the country by the end of next week.

The battalion will be based in Musa Qal'eh, which is in the highly dangerous Helmand province.

Whilst there the Gurkhas will help ensure convoys get safe passage through the area, track down Taliban recruiters and fight hostile forces.

They will also be helping train the Afghani national police and army.

Speaking to the Herald earlier this year Major Shiva Limbu said: "I will go around visiting places and meeting leaders in Afghanistan. I'll be finding out about their concerns and how we can help them.

"When I am not on operations I am also there to advise the commanding officer and company commanders.

"And I will offer advice and support to any of the soldiers should they wish to talk about anything."

The Gurkha major, who has been in the army for 28 years, is now on his fourth posting to Afghanistan.

Among those going to Afghanistan is Sergeant Major Kajiman Limbu, who won the Military Cross on deployment to the country in 2003.

The soldier, who has been in the Army 19 years, was with American troops when their colleagues were ambushed by the Taliban. He took out a group to take on the attackers and rescued an injured US soldier.

The battalion will be in Musa Qal'eh for six months.