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Spanish soldier killed in Afghan blast - five injured (Roundup)
Oct 7, 2009, 11:26 GMT
Madrid - A Spanish soldier was killed and five others injured Wednesday when their vehicle hit an explosive device 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 tasks of the patrol included dismantling illegal checkpoints.
The fatality, who was identified as private Cristo Ancor Cabello Santana, died at hospital. The ministry said the other victims sustained light injuries.
Defence Minister Carme Chacon was preparing to travel to Afghanistan to supervise the repatriation of Cabello Santana's remains.
Spain recently decided to increase its troops in Afghanistan by 220 soldiers to about 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.
Twenty-six Spanish soldiers have been killed in attacks or accidents in Afghanistan. Sixty-two others died when the plane bringing them home crashed in Turkey in 2003.
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