Afghanistan/France

French soldier killed near Kabul, 30 more die in one day

Article published on the 2008-11-22 Latest update 2008-11-22 15:56 TU

An Afghan soldier at the scene of a suicide attack in Baghlan this week
(Photo: Reuters)

A French soldier has been killed and another wounded by a mine explosion south of the Afghan capital, Kabul. President Nicolas Sarkozy has condemned "cowardly and barbaric behaviour of the enemies of peace" in the war-torn country. At least 30 other people are reported to have been killed on Saturday.

The French soldiers, who were demining specialists, were on a foot patrol near the Darulaman camp south of Kabul. They were part of a team of instructors working with the Afghan army.

The injured soldier is in hospital and is expected to survive.

"An adjutant has paid with his wife for France's commitment to the serving the Afghan people's peace and security," declared a statement by Sarkozy, which went on to confirm his "determination to fight terrorism".

The death brings the number of French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion to 25, with ten dying in an ambush last August.

In the northern province of Parwan unknown attackers threw hand grenades into a wedding party on Saturday, killing eight people and wounding 62.

"It is not clear whether this was a criminal act, or due to family or internal problems, or if it was a terrorist attack," Interior Ministry spokesperson Zemarai Bashary said in Kabul.

Earlier, a bomb killed two people and injured 15 on a market in the eastern city of Khost, according to officials.

Taliban insurgents said they had killed Marawara district govenror, Ghais Haqmal, who was kidnapped three months ago, because their demand for the liberation of 50 of their members was not met.

Theyn executed another Afghan man in Ghazni province, claiming that he was a spy for the US-backed government, while troops say they shot dead 14 Taliban and a civilian in Khost.