Balancing act in Afghanistan

New Zealand forces in Afghanistan have to balance security with winning the respect of the local population and logistical issues, one of New Zealand's former commanders in Afghanistan says.

Early this morning a New Zealand soldier was killed and two others seriously injured as their patrol came under attack from unknown assailants.

The patrol which was part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was hit by an IED - improvised explosive device - and was then attacked from two positions with small arms fire including rocket-propelled grenades.

Colonel Richard Hall was commander of the New Zealand troops in Bamiyan from October 2008-April 2009. He was recognised this year with a New Zealand Order of Merit for his service in Afghanistan.

Colonel Hall said he was shocked by the news of the soldier's death and that it was a personal tragedy for the family.

"However much we prepare for a soldier's death, it always comes as a shock."

New Zealand forces in Bamiyan use Hiluxes and Humvees to conduct routine patrols. Only some of those vehicles are armoured.

"New Zealand forces have to balance security with local circumstances. The majority of our security is provided by consent of the local population and I think the more you layer defence the more you distance yourself from the population, and that goodwill and respect that we are holding becomes more difficult to win."

Bamiyan was a very mountainous province with appalling roads and appalling infrastructure and driving around the province in ordinary vehicles let alone anything else was hard enough, Colonel Hall said.

"New Zealand troops in Afghanistan will have thought about the possibility of this happening and considered their reaction and they will be shocked as well. But they will want to continue their mission."

Bamiyan province in central Afghanistan had a mostly Hazara population but in the north-east of the province, where the attack occurred there was a mixed ethnic grouping and for the past year it had been considered the most unstable part of Bamiyan, Colonel Hall said.

The PRT works on maintaining security in Bamiyan Province, and carries out frequent patrols throughout the area.

It also supports the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors.

The PRT also identifies, prepares and provides project management for NZAID projects within the region.

Colonel Hall said New Zealand troops were respected in the area.

"We are all members of the Nato coalition. I think people will recognise that we tackle problems in a different way which has earned us a great deal of respect among the local population."

- NZPA