Canadian soldiers travelling in the convoy provided medical aid.
Among the casualties was a Romanian soldier who got out of another vehicle in the convoy to help his comrades. He suffered severe leg injuries when he stepped on a landmine. "An intervention team specialized in demining was sent on the scene to assist the troops," said a Romanian defence official, adding three of the soldiers are in stable condition at a base hospital in Kandahar.
A fourth was in critical condition and may be transferred to a hospital in Germany for more treatment.
The troops were from 341st Infantry battalion, a unit that provides perimeter security for the massive base.
One of the other injured men was an Afghan interpreter working for the coalition. He was in stable condition in hospital.
INTERPRETERS KILLED
The interpreter force has been hit hard over the past month. Five "Terps" were killed in a bomb blast in Kandahar City last Thursday.
Another interpreter lost both his legs May 25 when the Canadian Forces G-Wagon he was travelling in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Two Canadian soldiers in an armoured jeep that was part of the convoy provided first aid and helped secure the area after the explosions.
"They were in the second vehicle in the convoy. But they are okay," said Capt. Julie Roberge, spokeswoman for the international brigade.
The Taliban attack came as coalition forces, including Canadians, continued Operation Mountain Thrust in the northern sector of southern Afghanistan.
About 7,000 coalition combat troops are operating in a huge area that includes Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.
NO MAJOR CLASHES
So far, there have been no major clashes with Taliban forces, said Col. Chris Vernon, chief of staff of the brigade.
However, about 110 suspected militants have been killed, according to coalition estimates.
At least 10 coalition soldiers have died in combat since mid-May.
PUBLICATION: The Ottawa Sun
DATE: 2006.06.21
SOURCE: BY JOHN COTTER
No comments:
Post a Comment