Parents' grief for sapper killed in hail of terrorist bullets

THE London soldier executed in cold blood by Irish terrorists was praised at his funeral service today for his "determination and enthusiasm" to help army colleagues.

Sapper Patrick Azimkar, who was 21, was laid to rest at a private service held at the Guards Chapel on Birdcage Walk.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis, his commanding officer, condemned the Real IRA killing of Sapper Azimkar and Sapper Mark Quinsey, 23, as "callous". Sapper Azimkar, from Wood Green, died in a hail of more than 60 bullets as he collected pizza at the gates of Massereene Barracks in Antrim, Northern Ireland, on 7 March. "Pat was highly motivated and was always willing to go the extra mile and he never ceased to amaze me with his enthusiasm and determination," said Lt-Col Lewis. He said the two men were preparing to deploy to Afghanistan that night. It is understood three of Sapper Azimkar's colleagues flew from Afghanistan to join more than 100 mourners, including Northern Ireland chief constable Sir Hugh Orde and Northern Ireland veterans commissioner Mike Nesbit.

His family including father Mehmet and mother Geraldine stood in silence as six members of the 38th Engineer Regiment carried his coffin topped with his dress cap. Father Michael Dunne, Forces Chaplain, spoke of Sapper Azimkar as "an exuberant man with a great sense of fun". The soldier, who had trials with Spurs, joined the 38th Engineer Regiment three years ago.