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Five Swedish soldiers injured in Afghanistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-12 04:09

STOCKHOLM: Five Swedish soldiers were injured in an explosion that also claimed the life of a local foreign language interpreter, the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday.

While on patrol at 10 am Swedish time Wednesday, the Swedish soldiers hit a roadside improvised explosive device west of Mazar- e-Sharif, where Swedish troops in Afghanistan are stationed, said the statement.

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Those injured in the incident were taken to a field hospital located at Camp Marmal, home of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Regional Command for the north of Afghanistan, according to the Swedish military.

"I'm deeply saddened for those affected, of course. But it shows the seriousness of the operation," said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, speaking to Swedish news agency TT on the phone from Kabul.

Bildt, whose visit to the Afghan capital coincided with the attack, said it was his understanding that the Swedish troops were working as part of a wider operation involving Afghan forces.

Sweden has recently announced that its troops in Afghanistan will stay until the end of 2010.