Two Romanian military were killed and a third one was injured near Kandahar city on Saturday, during a mission for the training of Afghan police, the National Defence Ministry informs in a release.
Following the incident, the three wounded military, who were part of the special operations forces, were given first aid on the spot and were rushed to the nearest military hospital.
Unfortunately, Sergeant first class Iulian Dumitrescu and Sergeant Adrian Vizireanu did not survive, while the third wounded soldier, whose condition is stable, will be transferred to a hospital in Germany.
The victims’ families were informed about the tragic incident and a military commission is investigating the case.
The Ministry of National Defence sent compassionate condolences to the bereaved families and will attentively follow the developments in the condition of the wounded serviceman.
“I learned with great sorrow about the troops killed in the line of duty today, while performing a mission in Afghanistan. On behalf of myself and of all Romanian troops, I offer condolences to the bereaved families, their friends and brothers in arms. May God rest these brave soldiers and good Romanians,” reads the Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc’s message.
“I painfully receieved the news of the two Romanian military’s death in Afghanistan today. Our military served their country with commitment and courage and they will always stay in my memory and in the one of the Romanian people. During these sad moments, I convey my sincerest condolences to the unconsoled families. I wish the wounded military to get well soon and to come back home unharmed,” reads the message sent by President Iohannis.
NATO says the Romanian soldiers were shot by two individuals wearing local forces uniforms
The NATO-led military coalition also informed that two of its soldiers were killed Saturday in southern Afghanistan when two individuals wearing local forces military uniforms opened fire at a military compound.
A statement from the international Resolute Support mission in Kabul said its members returned fire and killed the shooters. The attackers wore Afghan National Defense and Security Forces uniforms. Afghan and NATO officials are conducting an investigation into the incident, under suspicions that Talibans were behind the attack.
The NATO-led noncombat mission consists of around 13,000 soldiers, mostly Americans, and has been training Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, known as ANDSF, since January 2015.
“We continue to train, advise and assist the ANDSF, and do not view this incident as representative of the positive relationship between our forces,” the statement said.