Estonian soldier seriously injured in Afghanistan

14.03.2008

TALLINN, Mar 14, BNS - A member of the Estonian defense forces was seriously injured in Afghanistan Friday morning.

The life of the injured soldier is not in danger, military spokesman Maj. Peeter Tali told BNS.

The soldier of the Estonian infantry company ESTCOY-5 was seriously injured in an explosion of an explosive device during an operation in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan Friday morning, Tali said.

The serviceman was taken to the Camp Bastion base by helicopter and is being treated by medics.

The soldier's next of kin have been informed, Tali said.

ESTCOY-5 continues the operation in the area of Now Zad.

The Estonian defense forces are taking part in the operation in Afghanistan since 2003. In June 2007 Sgt. Kalle Torn (24) and Sgt. Jako Karuks (33) were killed in an enemy missile attack. In the same attack four Estonian servicemen sustained injuries of various degree.

Five more Estonian personnel sustained injuries and several others contusions during the same rotation.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8814, sise@bns.ee