His mother Sunkumari said: "He loved the Army and was very proud to be a Gurkha. [break]
"I am proud that my son served in the British Army and that he died doing a job that he loved."
Sapper Ishwor, of 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, was born in Pokhara, Nepal, and had to support his family after his father died when he was just 14.
He followed in his father´s footsteps to become a soldier, passing selection to become a Gurkha in 2007.
He deployed to Afghanistan with 21 Engineer Regiment this year on his first operational tour.
He leaves his mother, brother Ramprasad and sister Richa, who said in a joint statement: "Our family is devastated with the news of Ishwor´s death in Afghanistan."
Sapper Ishwor´s comrades said he was a dedicated soldier and a talented sportsman, who excelled at cross-country running and boxing.
Lieutenant Colonel Bobby Walton-Knight, commanding officer of 21 Engineer Regiment Group, said he died putting his own life in danger to provide protection for others.
"Even after the longest of days, on the most demanding tasks in the toughest of conditions, he would have a huge smile on his face and be ready for more."
Captain Yambahadur Pun, troop commander of 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, said Sapper Ishwor was a "loving family man" with a bright future ahead of him.
He said: "His passing leaves a void in our lives and we will always have fond memories of him. He will never be forgotten."
The UK death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 331.
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