One soldier died and another one was wounded around 3 pm on March 20, north of Qalat. They are from the 300th Infantry Battalion Saint Andrew deployed in Afghanistan.

Private 1st class Ionut Cosmin SANDU died and Corporal Silviu ATANASIU was wounded in his left leg when the HUMVEE vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were conducting a patrol mission in the Zabul province.

According to the standard operating procedures, the area was secured immediately, and the wounded was taken to the Langman base field hospital, where his receives specialised emergency mediacl assistance.

Private 1st class Ionut Cosmin SANDU, aged 29, was married with two children. Corporal Silviu ATANASIU is 26 years okd and single. Both soldiers of the 300th Infantry Battalion Saint Andrew were for the second time on mission in Afghanistan.

An investigation committee headed by the battalion Commander is investigating the causes of this accident.

The Defence Ministry leadership expresses its deepest regret for the tragic accident and extends its sincere sympathy for the family in distress.

MoD Press Office