Second SAS soldier killed in Afghanistan
A New Zealand SAS soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
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A second New Zealand SAS soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister John Key, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and New Zealand Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Rhys Jones released the news this afternoon, although the dead man's name will not be made public for another 24 hours, to allow the man's extended family to be informed.
Mr Key said the soldier was shot while the SAS were mentoring the Afghan Crisis Response Unit during an operation in the Wardak province of Afghanistan near Kabul.
The operation involved putting a cordon in place to isolate an area. However, the cordon was detected, which resulted in an exchange of rifle fire.
Lieutenant General Jones said the soldier was shot in the head before being evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where he died on the operating table.
Two civilians were injured during the operation, Lieutenant General Jones said, although it was not clear how that happened. No other SAS members were injured.
The dead soldier was not Corporal Willie Apiata, Lieutenant General Jones said.
Last month SAS Corporal Doug Grant was killed during an SAS operation in Kabul.
“On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the soldier’s family, and the Defence Force community,” Mr Key said.
“This soldier has paid the highest price for his service to this country, and we mourn his loss with heavy hearts.”
There are about 35 members of the SAS in Afghanistan. They are due to return to New Zealand in March 2012.
Colin Williscroft
Wed, 28 Sep 2011
Wed, 28 Sep 2011
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Second SAS soldier killed in Afghanistan
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