Georgian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Four Georgian servicemen were killed in Afghanistan on mine explosion, the Georgian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement early on October 1. The latest deaths bring to five the number of Georgian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, since joining the NATO-led operation in November, 2009. Georgia suffered its first casualty in early September. At least three Georgian soldiers have been wounded.

The Georgian Ministry of Defense released the names of four soldiers killed in the recent incident - Col. Ramaz Gogiashvili, Sergeant Davit Tsetskhladze, Corporal Giorgi Kolkhitashvili and Corporal Nugzar Kalandadze. No other details have yet been reported.

NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is visiting Tbilisi, expressed condolences over death of Georgian soldiers.

“Today is a sad day for all of us; several of your comrades have yesterday been killed in combat in Afghanistan,” Rasmussen said early on October 1 in a brief speech made in the Georgian Ministry of Defense.

“Georgian soldiers are serving in the Helmand province – one of the most difficult areas in our mission in Afghanistan,” he said. “I highly appreciate you dedication to our common security, which is a testimony of strong partnership between Georgia and NATO. For this I am very grateful.”


/Civil.ge/