The Minister of Defence, National Security and Immigration, Ratu Epeli Ganilau today conveyed his condolences to the families of Cpl Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai and Kingsmen Ponipate Tagitaginimoce, of the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the two brave men who were killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan on Tuesday during this time of loss and bereavement”, he said.
Ratu Epeli Ganilau also said that the sudden passing of the two soldiers was no doubt very disturbing for their families and for the many people that knew them.
“I join with the members of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment who knew Clp Rogoiruwai and Kingsmen Tagitagimoce in offering our deepest sympathy on their passing,” he said.
The Defence Minister also hopes that the loved ones of the two soldiers find peace and comfort in knowing that their loss is felt by everyone who knew them .
Ratu Epeli Ganilau, in acknowledging the enormous contribution of over 2000 young Fijian men and women serving in the British army said that Fijian soldiers have served in the British Forces since the 1960s and Fiji has benefited from the remittances received from our soldiers in the British Army through the development of the local economy.
Cpl Rogoiruwai and Kingsmen Tagitagimoce were killed in the line of duty in two separate incidents in the Nad Ali district of Helmand province on Tuesday, bringing the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 5.