Tributes have been paid to two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Scott Hardy and Private James Grigg both from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment died on Tuesday (16/03/10) north of Musa Qalah.
Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth said: "They were both courageous, dedicated men who died fighting to bring greater security to Afghanistan and the UK.
"It is clear to me that Lance Corporal Hardy was a natural leader of men and brought valuable maturity and experience to his role.
"Private Grigg was an intelligent young man whose passion for and skill at cricket had made him a popular member of his Battalion.
James's loss will leave a space in our family life. We grieve deeply but at the same time feel greatly honoured that he should have served his country this way.
Private Grigg's family
"Both young men had a bright future in the Army ahead of them and their loss will be keenly felt.
"My thoughts are with their family, friends and comrades at this very difficult time."
Lance Corporal Hardy, 26, was from Chelmsford in Essex and had served in Afghanistan since October last year.
His family and girlfriend released a statement.
It read:: "Possessing great inner strength and a powerful personality, Scott could be relied upon, even in the worst of situations, to lift his men's morale.
"They loved him - he loved them.
"His father, brother, sisters and childhood sweetheart, Charlene, feel words fail to express the sorrow only a heartbroken family knows."
Private Grigg, 21, was born in Hartismere, Suffolk, and lived in Stradbroke, near Eye.
His family said: "James was a truly wonderful son, and a loving brother to Victoria.
"He was a team player in every sense - in the family, as a sportsman and as an infantry soldier.
"James's loss will leave a space in our family life. We grieve deeply but at the same time feel greatly honoured that he should have served his country this way."
A total of 275 British troops have died in the Afghan conflict since operations began in 2001, 26 of them in Musa Qala.
UK forces will hand responsibility for Musa Qala to the US Marines over the next few weeks and redeploy to central
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