Minister of Defense Ratu Epeli Ganilau has conveyed his condolences to the families of Corporal Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai and Kingsman Ponipate Tagitaginimoce, who were killed in the line of duty in two separate incidents in the Nad Ali district of Helmand province on Tuesday.

Ratu Epeli said our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the two brave men who were killed in the line of duty during this time of loss and bereavement.

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.

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 benefitted from the remittances received from our soldiers in the British Army through the development of the local economy.

Corporal Rogoiruwai and Kingsman Tagitagimoce’s deaths, brings the total number of Fijian soldiers in the British Army killed in Afghanistan to 5.