FIVE soldiers were shot dead by a British-trained Afghan policeman who “went rogue” and attacked them inside a military compound.

Warrant Officer Darren Chant, Sergeant Matthew Telford and Guardsman James Major from the Grenadier Guards died alongside Acting Corporal Steven Boote and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith from the Royal Military Police.

They were killed in the Nad-e’Ali district of Helmand Province.

The Ministry of Defence named the men last night, but said no further details would yet be released.

Sgt Telford’s uncle, William Ferrand, said: “It was his job and he absolutely loved it. Everybody knows what a wonderful lad he was. It’s devastated all of us.”

British troops are thought to be involved in a manhunt for the assassin named by tribal elders as Taliban member Gulbuddin.

Another six British soldiers and two Afghan policemen were wounded in the shooting – claimed by the Taliban – which has rocked the coalition mission in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the soldiers, describing their deaths as a “terrible loss”.

“My thoughts, condolences and sympathies go to their families, loved ones and colleagues. I know that the whole country, too, will mourn their loss,” he said.

He promised to press on with the strategy of training Afghan soldiers and police.

Mr Brown told the House of Commons: “It appears they were targeted because they were engaged in what our enemies fear most – they were mentoring and strengthening Afghan forces to make Afghanistan more secure.”

The death toll in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001 now stands at 229.