NZ Defence help after Afghan child killed

New Zealand soldiers arriving in Bamiyan. File Photo / Supplied

New Zealand Defence Force members gave help when an Afghan child was killed and another injured in an explosion on a weapons range in Bamyan Province on Wednesday.

The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) was alerted when local civilians came to the gate of their patrol base and sought help after unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated.

The injured child was treated by an NZDF medic before being airlifted with his father to the hospital at Bagram Airforce Base.

The UXO was in a weapons range used by the NZDF and local Afghan National Police in the northeast of Bamyan Province.

Local police had completed an initial investigation, and the NZDF was investigating the incident to determine the facts surrounding it, the Defence Force said in a statement.

The dangerous nature of the range area was well known to the locals and the NZPRT and local elders had repeatedly explained this danger, especially to the local children.

The NZDF has explosive ordnance disposal personnel with the NZPRT and Afghans often advise the NZPRT where to find UXO so they can be disposed of.

The funeral for the dead child had been conducted by family members.

The statement said the NZPRT had expressed condolences to the family and hoped for a quick recovery of the injured child.

- NZPA