A SCOTTISH security contractor killed in Afghanistan died heroically saving the lives of workers he had sworn to protect, a senior official in his company has said.
Frank Duggan, Managing Director at Blue Hackle's Middle East/North Africa division, said Mark Duffus, of Forres, Morayshire, would be dearly missed as he paid tribute to the 41-year-old's bravery.
Mr Duffus lost his life in a raid by the Taliban on a Nato compound in Kabul on Tuesday night.
The contractor, who had employed by US-based Blue Hackle for eight years, is thought to have been shot during a ferocious gun battle that erupted after gunmen and a suicide bomber stormed the base, which holds supplies for Nato troops.
Mr Duggan said: "We lost Mark Duffus on July 2 to an insurgent attack at our compound in Kabul.
"He died heroically saving the lives of his clients and upholding the highest traditions of his long legacy of military service in Scotland and at Blue Hackle in our toughest areas. We will miss him dearly."
Mr Duffus, who was married and still had family in Scotland, was due to return home next week.
His father, Albert Duffus, who lives near his son's home in Forres, said relatives were still trying to adjust following the former soldier's death.
"His boss told me that Mark had done his job" he said. "He got all his clients safely inside the compound but there was a gun battle afterwards and he was fatally wounded.
"I only spoke to him on Skype the day before. He was looking forward to coming home and going on holiday with his partner."
Arrangements are now being made for Mr Duffus's body to be returned home to his family in Scotland.
Two civilian truck drivers and four Nepalese security guards were also killed during the attack, which was the latest in a series of deadly raids by the Taliban in the Afghan capital.
Afghan officials said the attack began just before dawn and involved at least four extremists. A truck packed with explosives was driven against the gates of the compound and detonated by its driver.
The blast carved out a huge crater, damaged a guard tower and killed two drivers at the compound, which is used to supply Nato troops.
The driver of the truck was also killed, and in the confusion after the blast three extremists armed with automatic weapons stormed the compound.
All three were killed in the ensuing gun battle.
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