Asia

Baku – APA. Tributes have been paid to four British soldiers who died when their armoured vehicle crashed into a canal in Afghanistan, APA reports quoting “Sky News”.
They were Colour Sergeant Martyn Simon Horton, Private Douglas Niall Halliday and Private Alex Isaac, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, and Lance Corporal David Andrew Ramsden from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.
The men were travelling in a Ridgeback vehicle which came off the road on Wednesday night and ended up in the Nahr-e Bughra canal near Gereshk in Helmand Province.
It has been a particularly bloody month for British troops in Afghanistan.
The four deaths took the total number of UK fatalities in June to 18, the worst since last August. Nine soldiers have lost their lives in the past seven days.
The total number of British dead in Afghanistan now stands at 307 since 2001.
Colour Sergeant Horton, 34, was from Runcorn, Cheshire, and had one son.
His sister, Caroline, said: "Martyn lived for three things - family, Army and Liverpool. He loved fighting for his friends and family.
"He was a loving dad, brother and son; he touched everyone he met. We will miss his cheeky grin.
"He will be fondly missed by everyone he knew and sadly died doing the job he loved. Once met, never forgotten."
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) said: "Colour Sergeant Horton was one of our very best.
"He was of course a highly professional field soldier, and he revelled in getting down and dirty and taking the fight to anyone who stood in the way of him or his men.
"But he was a friendly and amusing man, always looking for the fun in life."
L/Cpl Ramsden, 26, from Leeds, had a twin sister, Emma, another called Zoey and
two brothers, Matthew and Jeremy.
His siblings, along with parents Shirley and Eddie, said: "David lived life at 1,000mph.
"He was a normal young lad who would always cheer you up and often did things for a laugh. He loved socialising with his mates both in and out of the Army.
"We all loved him so much - he was very generous and he would do anything for his family and friends."
Lt Col Hadfield said of L/Cpl Ramsden: "He had an immediate impact on those around him, calming nerves and helping the junior men to cope with the demands of operational service.
"He lived the values of the Yorkshire Regiment, being honest, fair, gritty and proud. I am privileged to have had him under my command and know that he stood firm and struck hard to the last."
Pte Isaac was 20 and from the Wirral. His mother, Annette, said: "My beautiful darling son, who was a fighter and so brave, you will always be in my heart, my soul and my thoughts."
One of his two brothers, Robert, said: "Alex, I am very proud to be your brother; your strength will live on in all of us."
Lt Col Hadfield said: "Alex was popular with all and respected for his work ethic and determined nature.
"He was a Mercian Warrior, standing firm to protect those in need and striking hard to defeat their enemies. He will always be remembered as one of our heroes."
Pte Halliday, 20, from Wallasey, Merseyside, will be remembered for "his charm, the special times together and his humour", his family said.
They added: "Dougie was deeply loved by all of his family and friends for the love and laughter that he brought into their lives.
"Dougie was always the life and soul of the party and will be missed by all. We are all extremely privileged to have shared his short life."
Lt Col Hadfield said: "He was a fit and strong soldier and was willing to shoulder any burden to assist the team’s performance. He was positive in his approach to service in Afghanistan and to his chosen profession.
"He had a bright future ahead of him. His loss will be deeply felt and he will never be forgotten."
Meanwhile, hundreds of mourners have packed a church to say goodbye to a soldier shot dead while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.
More than 500 people filled St Mary’s Church in Ysceifiog, North Wales, to pay their respects to 23-year-old Lance Corporal Alan Cochran.
Just moments before the service began, the soldier’s mother Shirley Cochran and brother Mark were given the Elizabeth Cross - an emblem of national recognition of service families’ losses.

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