4.00pm
A New Zealand special forces soldier wounded during military operations in central Afghanistan is not yet well enough to return home.
In a brief statement today the Defence Force said the soldier was expected to make a full recovery, but it would not be releasing any more information about the incident
or the personnel concerned.
"(He) has been transferred to Ramstein air force base in Germany for further medical treatment, and once he is declared fit to fly he will return to New Zealand."
A second injured New Zealand special forces soldier had returned to his unit after receiving medical attention, the statement said.
Previously the Defence Force said the more seriously injured soldier had received a gunshot wound.
The soldier now back with his unit had been wounded by shrapnel.
Defence Minister Mark Burton had earlier said the injuries to neither soldier was so severe that they would need to be returned to New Zealand.
The soldiers were initially evacuated by helicopter from their position in central Afghanistan to a medical facility.
Mr Burton declined to comment on who had attacked the New Zealanders' position or confirm if the soldiers were sharing that position with other coalition forces.
It was "an operational situation", he said.
Mr Burton and Prime Minister Helen Clark in March announced the redeployment of about 50 Special Air Service (SAS) troops to the troubled country, for a six-month tour of duty.
Their missions would include "long-range reconnaissance and direct action", operating in tandem with coalition forces, as part of New Zealand's contribution to restoring stability and stemming terrorism.
None of the deployments would be without risk, Miss Clark said at the time.
- NZPA
