NZ troops uninjured in bomb incident

New Zealand troops had a bomb explode during a routine patrol in Afghanistan today, but no one was injured.

The Improvised Explosive Device or IED detonated during a patrol in the northeastern area of Bamyan province at approximately 7.30pm yesterday local time (around 3am today NZ time).

The NZ Defence Force personnel were in armoured vehicles. Neither the troops nor the vehicles suffered any damage.

"IEDs are a known insurgent tactic in this area, and this is also the time of year when the threat level increases," said Commander Joint Forces Major General Dave Gawn in a Defence Force statement. "We will continue to monitor the threat levels in the area to ensure we apply the appropriate measures."

The incident comes a day after New Zealand SAS soldiers were involved in countering insurgents who killed a senior Government aide in Afghanistan. Last month two New Zealand soldiers suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel and gun shot wounds after Taleban fighters attacked the InterContinental Hotel.

- Herald Online