Two soldiers of the 33rd Maneuver Battalion deployed in Afghanistan were killed on Wednesday, June 23rd, 14.30 hrs (Romanian time).

Sergeant Major Dan Ciobotaru and Corporal Paul Caracuda were on route A1 Kabul-Kandahar. At about 30 km off Qalat, the HUMVEE they were in was struck by an improvised explosive device, which killed them instantly.

Sgt. Maj. Dan Ciobotaru, who graduated in 2007, was 28 years old and not married. Corporal Paul Caracuda, was 36, worked with the military since 1996, was married and had two children.

The defence minister promoted the two soldiers to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, post-mortem, for their sacrifice and heroic deeds in the theater of operations in Afghanistan. The defence minister proposed the President of Romania that the 2nd lieutenants, post-mortem, Dan Ciobotaru and Paul Caracuda be awarded Ordinul National Steaua Romaniei [National Order Star of Romania, Knight Rank, for military men].

Defence Minister Gabriel Oprea and the Chief of General Staff Admiral Gheorghe Marin, expressed their condolences at the deaths of the two comrades to the grieving families.

MoND Press Office