Cpl. Starker was killed shortly before noon Afghanistan time when a foot patrol was attacked in the Pashmul region of the Zharey district outside Kandahar.

A second soldier was injured and is in fair condition.

Cpl. Starker was part of a unit that visits local residents in order to build a rapport between the military and local communities. The patrol was attacked with small arms fire.

Cpl. Starker's death brings to 83 the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

Details of the repatriation will be posted on newsdurhamregion.com and northumberlandnews.com once they're made available.