Tri-Service

NATO Soldier Killed By Suicide Bomber In Afghanistan

NATO have confirmed that the soldier killed in a suicide bombing that took place on Tuesday was of Georgian nationality.

The blast, which targeted a military patrol north of the Afghan capital of Kabul, also wounded three Georgian soldiers, two U.S. service members and one Afghan interpreter.

Fortunately, they are all in stable condition at the Bagram Airfield military hospital.

General John Nicholson, Commander of the Resolute Support Mission, said in a statement:

"Our prayers today are with the almost 900 Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan who are mourning their fallen comrade. The commitment of Georgia as our largest non-NATO contributor is vital to our mission and we are honoured to stand beside them under these difficult circumstances."

Additionally, two Afghan civilians were killed and seven were wounded in the brutal and cowardly attack.

Nicholson said of the civilian fatalities:

"The Afghan people want peace. Time and again, the Taliban prove that they have no regard for civilians and non-combatants." The Taliban are the enemy of the Afghan people. Resolute Support is firmly committed to supporting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces as they stabilize Afghanistan."

On Wednesday two US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan when their convoy was targetted.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that the suicide attacker from northern Takhar province hit the patrol near Qarabagh, 18 miles from Kabul, about 8pm on Thursday local time.

He claimed 11 Americans were killed, but Captain Bill Salvin, a US military spokesman, said one person died and six were wounded, including an Afghan translator.

The conflicting death tolls could not be immediately explained, but the Taliban routinely exaggerate their claims.