Tributes to war reporter killed in Afghan blast

Father-of-three Rupert Hamer, 39, died on Saturday while embedded with US Marines.

The Sunday Mirror's defence correspondent is the first British journalist to have died in Afghanistan.

The newspaper's photographer Philip Coburn, 43, was hurt in the explosion, which also killed a US Marine and left five more with serious injuries.

Politicians including Gordon Brown and David Cameron paid tribute to Mr Hamer, described by colleagues as "hugely popular".

Mr Hamer died of his wounds at the scene north-west of Nawa in Helmand province.

Mr Coburn remains in a serious but stable condition, the Ministry of Defence said.

The pair were accompanying a patrol when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the experienced journalists flew to the region on New Year's Eve for a trip scheduled to last a month, covering the start of the US Marines' surge into southern Afghanistan.

Mr Hamer, who was married to Helen, had three children, aged six, five and 19 months and had worked for the newspaper for 12 years, taking on the defence correspondent role in 2004.

Mr Coburn has been at the Sunday Mirror for eight years.

In response to Mr Hamer's death and Mr Coburn's injuries, Mr Brown said: "I was deeply saddened by this tragic news, and my heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with the families, friends and colleagues of Rupert and Philip.

"Their courage, skill and dedication to reporting from the frontline was incredibly important and ensured that the world could see and read about our heroic troops.

"Their professionalism and commitment to our forces will not be forgotten."

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said Mr Hamer and Mr Coburn covered his last trip to Afghanistan.

He said: "I got to know them well and I was impressed by their hard work and professionalism. As a defence correspondent, Rupert Hamer was in regular contact with Press officers at the MoD. I know they had great respect for his work and the news of his death has been met with great sadness amongst us all."

One of Mr Hamer's last assignments was organising a special Christmas edition of the paper with messages from loved ones, which was sent to troops three weeks ago.

Tory leader David Cameron said: "British journalists regularly risk their own safety to report on the war in Afghanistan.

"Their job is a crucial one and their bravery is to be admired."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "deeply saddened", adding: "Rupert Hamer died in the course of important work informing the world about the situation in Afghanistan.

"I pay tribute to his efforts, and those of Philip Coburn, undertaken in the most dangerous of circumstances."

Mr Hamer believed the only place to report a war was from the front line, according to Sunday Mirror editor Tina Weaver, who said: "He was a seasoned, highly-regarded and brave journalist who had reported from both Iraq and Afghanistan on many occasions."

Before entering journalism, he studied at Leeds University, graduating in 1994 with a degree in politics.

She said Mr Hamer, who was on his fifth trip to Afghanistan, earned the nickname "Corporal Hamer" by fellow Sunday Mirror staff. "He was a fine, fearless, and skilled writer who joined the paper 12 years ago," she added. "Affectionately known as Corporal Hamer in the office, he was a gregarious figure, a wonderful friend who was hugely popular with his colleagues.

"Above all he was devoted to his wife Helen and their three young children.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Helen, his father Nick, who he was so close to, and the children he was so proud of."

She described Mr Coburn as a "consummate all round journalist and brilliant photographer".

She added: "He and Rupert made a dedicated team, working together around the world, sacrificing personal comfort countless times to record the reality of wars."

Military effort under-resourced for years says top general

The international military effort in Afghanistan was under-resourced for years, the head of the Army said yesterday as US troops prepared to take over operations in an area which has seen some of the bloodiest fighting for UKforces.

Chief of the General Staff General Sir David Richards said US President Barack Obama's surge strategy could see American troops playing a greater role in northern Helmand province.

He said he was hopeful casualty levels would diminish towards the end of a "tough" 2010 but added that a military presence would be required for up to five years.

Gen Richards' comments came as it was announced that reporter Rupert Hamer had been killed yesterday while embedded with US Marines.

Commanders in Afghanistan, led by US General Stanley McChrystal, are considering using US troops to provide security in the more remote areas of Helmand province.

Gen Richards said the new plan endorsed by President Obama would help provide an exit strategy for the troops.