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Returning New Zealand soldiers say there are worrying signs Kiwi troops are being targeted by Taleban insurgents following a couple of recent near misses in Afghanistan.
Colonel Darryl Tracy, commanding officer of the 136-strong Task Group Crib, said Taleban insurgents were making their presence increasingly felt in Bamiyan, which is regarded as one of the safest places in the war-torn country.
"Our focus remains on improving governance and the troops have been very busy with development. But the time we are putting into security has definitely gone up," said Colonel Tracy.
Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner said there was "no doubt" the Taleban had strengthened their activities.
"They have a lot of willing fighters but I still think the coalition partners are doing a great job," he said.
General Gardiner said New Zealand had been sending troops to Afghanistan for nearly seven years.
Its involvement there was now longer than New Zealand's World War II campaign.
Major Justin De La Haye of Heretaunga said there had been "a spike in threatening activity", including a New Zealand patrol vehicle suffering shrapnel damage from an improvised explosive device (IED).
There were no injuries in the incident but another IED, which failed to detonate fully in a bazaar not far from the New Zealanders' camp, was "not a good sign".
He said there had been no combat with the enemy. "There have been wins and losses in all areas and, overall, Bamiyan has been good. But there's definitely a growing presence. In Bamiyan they are starting to get more confident and try new things, including targeting New Zealand forces," said Major De La Haye.
"Before, they were largely targeting the local police or civilians. Now they're targeting us, which is not a good sign."
But Defence Minister Phil Goff said Bamiyan had a security rating of medium. Cities such as Kabul and Bagram had high ratings.
He said most people in the city were Hazaras, Persian-speaking people who were predominantly Shia Muslims, and were against the Taleban.
During Taleban rule, Hazara elders were lined up and shot and Buddha statues were blown up. "The Hazara people despise the Taleban and they're pleased to have the Kiwis there to give them safety and stability.
"That's what makes our region less risky than others. Insurgents will not get support from local people in terms of any action that they might take against the Kiwi troops."
But he said the recent attacks showed there was no room for complacency. After a review at the beginning of the year 18 additional troops had been sent to Afghanistan.
Troops use Humvee vehicles loaned from the US as road conditions restricted the use of large armoured vehicles.
If needed, the Army may look at greater levels of armour protection. A decision will be made at the end of the year if more troops are to be sent. The Army is committed to the region until September next year.
Dozens of relieved families lined the airstrip at Ohakea Air Base, many crying, clapping and cheering loudly when the twelfth rotation of personnel with the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team touched down after its six-month stint.
The Task Group Crib, made up of Air Force, Army and Navy staff, have been on a humanitarian assistance mission helping to provide security, develop infrastructure, build schools, buildings and extend the 2km of sealed roads in the province, which covers more than 14,000sq km.
More than 1300 New Zealand troops have been sent to Afghanistan. The latest deployment of Task Group Crib, sent two weeks ago, took this year's number to 246.
