Ex-Gurkhas killed in Iraq

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London - Four employees of a British security firm killed in an attack in Baghdad were Nepalese nationals who had formerly served with Britain's elite Gurkha army regiment, the foreign office in London said on Friday.

The company for which they worked, London-based Global Risks Strategies, confirmed that four former Gurkhas on its staff had been killed in a rocket attack on Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone".

Twelve other people, also ex-Gurkhas working for the firm, had also been injured in Thursday's attack, with three still being treated in hospital, the company said.

"Our sincerest condolences are being passed on to the families of these brave and professional individuals who lost their lives and our thoughts are with them at this time," it said.

A foreign office spokesperson said the men were Nepalese ex-Gurkhas, but gave no further details about their identity.

Gurkhas from Nepal have served in the British Army since 1815, when they impressed officers with a valiant defence of their home nation against British invasion.

Fought with great distinction

The regiment has fought with great distinction in virtually every war involving British troops since then. About 3 600 Gurkhas currently serve with British forces, with a number taking lucrative private security work after they leave.

Global Risks Strategies is one of the largest private security firms operating in Iraq, with more than 1 000 employees, including former SAS and other recruits from Nepal and Fiji, among other countries.

Bidur Pakhrin, a recently retired Gurkha soldier who is vice-chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society, said a "rough guess" was that 100 or more ex-Gurkhas were working for security firms in Iraq.

He added that some Gurkha soldiers were also serving in British army units deployed in Iraq, but could not estimate how many.

In August, 12 Nepalese workers in Iraq held hostage by militants were killed by their captors for allegedly helping US forces, triggering a violent backlash against the minority Muslim population in the Hindu kingdom of Nepal.