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| LCPL Pralli Durrer (L) and LCPL Rory Malone |
Lance Corporals Rory Malone and Pralli Durrer, both 26, were killed after a fierce three-minute gun fight in a village near Do Abe, in the north east of Bamiyan Province.
They were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Provincial Reconstruction team in April 2012.
The families of the men both released statements at a press conference today, expressing their loss and speaking of the commitment they had made to the armed forces.
"Rory's family is extremely proud of his service to the NZ Army. Rory went to Afghanistan to do what he considered an important job which contributed to the greater good of the region.
"He did his job with honour and pride. Rory will be dearly missed by his family," Malone's family said.
Durrer's family said: "We are all thankful for the 26 years we had with Pralli and are proud af all that he accomplished in his short time with us.
"He has had a rewarding career as a soldier and we know he had a positive effect on all those he worked alongside throughout his time with the NZ Army."
Malone, from Auckland, joined the Territorial Force in November 2002 and transferred to the Regular Force as a rifleman in September 2005. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in July 2011.
Durrer, from Christchurch, joined the New Zealand Army in June 2004 as a rifleman. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in September 2012.
Minister of Defence Jonathan Coleman said the families could be "extremely" proud of the men's service records.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones again expressed his sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased on behalf of the NZDF.
"Both Lance Corporal Malone and Lance Corporal Durrer are now in Bagram Air Base while arrangements are made for their repatriation to New Zealand.
He said the NZDF hoped to have the fallen soldiers home by the middle of the week.
Both the families have asked for privacy and time to grieve by themselves.
Six other New Zealand soldiers were also wounded in the attack, and are recovering in hospital. One of the men was shot in the neck and is in a critical condition.
"We also wish the six wounded men a speedy recovery. they are in good hands and we are looking forward to them being safely back home," Coleman said.
The deaths are the first double fatality on Afghan soil that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has suffered since the war began.
Jones also said today the base in Do Abe was attacked by insurgents again last night, but there were no casualties.
Read more: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-named-5007796
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