Italian soldier shot dead in western Afghanistan

[News_Editor]

Italian soldier shot dead in western Afghanistan

2011-07-25 18:59:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- An Italian soldier was killed during an operation in western Afghanistan on early Monday morning, the Italian Ministry of Defense said. Two other soldiers were injured.

Italian Chief of Defense General Biagio Abrate said 28-year-old Corporal Major David Tobin was killed as a result of a firefight with insurgents near the village of Bala Murghab in Badghis Province.

According to the Italian Ministry of Defense, a group of Italian soldiers was attacked during a joint operation conducted by Afghan and Italian forces in the region. Two soldiers were also injured in addition to Tobin's death. Details about the operation were not released.

"One of the two soldiers who were wounded in the crossfire remains in a serious condition, while the injuries of the second soldier is not life threatening," a statement from the Ministry said.

A statement from the office of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said he learned with 'deep emotion' of the firefight and offered his deep condolences to the family of Tobin. The death raises the number of Italian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2003 to 41.

Coalition casualties in Afghanistan have been rising sharply in recent years, with a total coalition death toll of 709 in 2010, making it the deadliest year for international troops since the war began in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

So far this year, at least 327 coalition service members have been killed in Afghanistan. Most troops are killed in the country's south, which is plagued by IED attacks on troops and civilians. Most of the casualties are American.

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