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Soldier with Royal Gurkha Rifles in Folkestone to be awarded Military Cross after fighting off Taliban in Afghanistan

08:00, 04 October 2013

updated: 08:49, 04 October 2013

A Gurkha soldier from Kent who fought off the Taliban in Afghanistan is among more than 100 troops being recognised in today's military honours list.

Acting Lance Corporal Tuljung Gurung is being awarded the Military Cross for courage.

The 28 year-old, who serves with the Royal Gurkha Rifles in Folkestone, took on armed insurgents when they launched an attack.

Gurkha soldiers marching through Folkestone
Gurkha soldiers marching through Folkestone

He was shot in the helmet and narrowly missed being blown up by a grenade during an assault on a patrol base in March.

Armed only with his ceremonial kukri knife, Acting L/Cpl Gurung single-handedly fought off a gun-wielding insurgent.

He said: "He was quite a bit bigger than me. I just hit him in the hand, body, I just started to hit him.

"I just thought, 'I don't want to die. If I am alive I can save my colleagues'.

"I thought, 'Before he does something I have to do something'. I was like a madman."

Acting Sargeant Govinda Gurung
Acting Sargeant Govinda Gurung

His citation said he had displayed the "highest levels of gallantry and courage".

Three other soldiers with the Royal Gurkha Rifles - based at based at Shorncliffe Barracks - have been recognised in the military honours list.

Major David Pack receives an MBE, while Rifleman Bikash Gurung and Acting Sargeant Govinda Gurung are listed for Mention in Despatches.

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