The BBC understands 32-year-old Maj Kevin McCool was on a motorcycle trip off base when he was attacked.

MoD officials said it would not be releasing any details of what happened to the soldier, who was from Northern Ireland.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps led tributes to Maj McCool describing the death as a “tragic loss”.

He added: “It’s clear from the tributes of those who knew him that Maj McCool was an exceptional person and an exceptional soldier, loved and respected in equal measure, who served his country with distinction.”

[Aw, this is just awful. We have plenty of troops ourselves all over Africa, and it is so very dangerous. ~ Beege]