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Spanish soldier killed in Afghan blast - five injured (1st Lead)
Oct 7, 2009, 10:49 GMT
Madrid - A Spanish soldier was killed and five others injured Wednesday when their vehicle hit a mine in western Afghanistan, the Defence Ministry said in Madrid.
The explosion occurred near Herat, where the Spanish contingent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is based.
The soldiers were travelling in a lorry forming part of a convoy which was on a reconnaissance and security patrol, media reported. The potential tasks of the convoy included dismantling checkpoints and defusing explosives.
The fatality, who was identified as Cristo Ancor Cabello Santana, died at hospital. The ministry said the other victims sustained light injuries.
Spain recently decided to increase its troops in Afghanistan by 220 soldiers to nearly 1,000 permanent troops.
The troop increase was justified partly by the need to step up the security of Spanish troops, following a combat in which Spaniards killed 13 insurgents in early September.
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