A senior British army officer was among three British
troops murdered by a rogue Afghan soldier, it's been revealed.

The company commander was shot dead in his sleeping quarters at
a base in Helmand province yesterday morning.

The Taliban say the gunman is now under their protection.

He turned on Kent-based troops in Helmand province, killing
three of them, and injuring two more from the 1st Battalion the
Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Video: Brigadier Felton
speaks yesterday about the Afghan tragedy

The Ministry of Defence says a "combination of weapons" was
used. It is believed that one may have been a rocket-propelled
grenade.

The Afghan soldier escaped and is still being hunted.

The Folkestone-based soldiers were killed in southern Nahr-e
Saraj, Helmand province.

Lt Col James Carr-Smith, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said:
"We believe these were the actions of a lone individual.

"Three courageous and dedicated
soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice. They will be greatly
missed and their actions will not be forgotten."

1RGR have been in Afghanistan since
earlier this year and are due back at barracks at Shorncliffe in
October.

A rocket-propelled grenade was used in the attack.

The Prime Minister has condemned what he calls the "appalling"
killings.

He said the incident was not typical of what the Afghan National
Army is now doing.

His words were backed up by Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who
dubbed the deaths a "despicable and cowardly act".

It is thought the killer used a shoulder-mounted
rocket-propelled grenade launcher in the attack inside their
base in Helmand Province - and is now on the run.

The Ministry of Defence is informing the families, and Liam
Fox says the circumstances are being investigated.

Pay a tribute to the soldiers below.