8 October 2008
At approximately 3.30 pm local Afghanistan time a New Zealand Defence Force patrol was forced to stop after one of its vehicles suffered damage from an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D) in Bamyan Province in Afghanistan.
One member of the patrol suffered a very minor cut to the face, was treated at the scene and has returned to active duty. The IED was in the same area as one that occurred in March, and on that occasion there were no injuries.
Defence Force Spokesperson Commander Shaun Fogarty states, “The area in which the patrol took place is known for having tribal and criminal tensions between different groups and as a result the patrol was larger than normal. Currently NZDF personnel remain at the site of the IED awaiting the arrival of an investigation team who’ll examine the site.”
“The NZDF is constantly reviewing the security status of the area, and the possibility of any increased threat. This incident is another reminder that we can't be complacent” he said.
Ends
Contact: Chris Wright, Defence Media Manager (04) 496 0296, (021) 487 980.
Note:
The 140-strong NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is tasked with assisting in security and reconstruction in Bamyan Province.
On Sunday 5 October a contingent of 129 New Zealand Defence Force personnel departed from Ohakea Air Force Base to begin the next six month deployment to Afghanistan.
The New Zealand Defence Force currently has approximately 595 personnel involved in 15 operations and deployments around the world.