The Army has been called in to help with the search for missing Christchurch woman Emma Campbell, although her family now fear the worst.

A soldier was struck by a stray bullet while operating a standard-issue light machine gun late this morning.

John Key's decision to attend the funerals of three Air Force servicemen has been criticised as "short-sighted and irresponsible".

NZ SAS troops took part in an operation in Kabul that saw a terror cell busted and a quarter tonne of explosives seized, John Key told media during his secret visit to Afghanistan.

Wearing body armour and a helmet, Prime Minister John Key has spent the past three days in war-torn Afghanistan on a top-secret visit to NZ troops.

Thailand's Cabinet is due to hold an emergency meeting in the face of unrelenting anti-government street protests.