More NZ deaths in Afghanistan

Three New Zealand troops killed in central Afghanistan

New Zealand Defense Force officials say that three New Zealand soldiers have been killed in central Afghanistan.

Press TV,

19 August, 2012

The New Zealanders were killed in a roadside bomb attack on their convoy in northwest of Do Abe in the northeast of Bamyan province in the early hours of Monday, AFP reported.

"Today’s events underscore the gravity of the situations New Zealand’s soldiers face daily in Afghanistan," New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Monday.

"The three brave soldiers paid the ultimate price for their selfless work, and my thoughts are with their families and friends as they mourn their loved ones." he added.

On August 4, two New Zealand soldiers were killed and six others injured at the same place in the Bamyan province.

The increasing number of military casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger in the United States and other NATO member states, undermining public support for the Afghan war.

According to the website icasualties.org, over 300 foreign troops, mostly US personnel, have lost their lives in Afghanistan so far this year.

A total of 566 US-led forces died in Afghanistan in 2011. However, 2010 remains the deadliest year for foreign military casualties, with a death toll of 711.

Insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan, despite the presence of about 130,000 US-led forces in the country.