THE Parachute Regiment has paid tribute to "one of its most senior and its most junior soldiers" who were killed in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Major Michael Williams, 40, of Colchester-based 2 Para, was killed in a firefight with insurgents.

Private Joe Whittaker, 20, a Territorial Army soldier attached to 2 Para, was killed checking a road for mines.

Their deaths on Tuesday happened in separate incidents that were part of the same operation in the Upper Sangin Valley.

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