Three Czech soldiers injured in Afghanistan

Kabul/Prague, Nov 18 (CTK) - Three Czech soldiers were injured in the
Afghan province Logar Tuesday when their vehicle drove over a home-made bomb,
the Czech general staff told CTK.

In the morning one of the American Humvees that was part of the Czech
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) convoy drove over an improvised
explosive system and the front of the vehicle was damaged in the explosion.

Three soldiers in the car suffered bruises and lacerations, Jana Ruzickova
from the general staff said.

After receiving treatment on the spot, the soldiers were moved to the Czech
PRT base in Shank where doctors are attending to them.

"The soldiers' families have been informed about the incident that is being
investigated," Ruzickova said.

Such incidents involving Czech soldiers are frequent in the turbulent
Afghan province Logar where the Czech soldiers operate as part of the PRT.

In the last incident, seven Czech soldiers were wounded at the beginning of
October when their convoy was attacked by enemy fire.

Two Czech soldiers were killed in Afghanistan this year and one died last
year.

Next year, the Defence Ministry wants to reinforce the Czech PRT in Logar
from the current 200 to 330 troops in view of the worsening security
situation.

It is not yet clear whether the Czech parliament will approve the sending
of the additional troops.

The Czech military command is also seeking to quickly re-equip the soldiers
in Afghanistan with new technologies.

By the end of this month the military will receive 15 German armoured
vehicles Dingo 2 which provide increased protection against mines and
improvised explosive systems.