Taleban turn sights on Kiwi soldiers

Taleban insurgents are turning their sights on New Zealand soldiers working in one of the safest places of war-torn Afghanistan.

Soldiers who returned home yesterday after their rotation as part of New Zealand's contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan, said yesterday there were worrying signs Kiwi troops were being targeted by Taleban insurgents after recent near misses.

Colonel Darryl Tracy, commanding officer of the 136-strong Task Group Crib, said the insurgents were making their presence increasingly felt in Bamiyan, and New Zealand troops were stepping up their security.

Major Justin De La Haye, of Upper Hutt, told the New Zealand Herald the increased threat included shrapnel damage to a New Zealand patrol vehicle from an improvised explosive device (IED).

No one was hurt but Maj De La Haye said another IED, which failed to detonate fully in a bazaar not far from the New Zealand camp, was "not a good sign".

He said there had been no combat.

"But there's definitely a growing presence. In Bamiyan they are starting to get more confident and try new things, including targeting New Zealand forces.

"Before, they were largely targeting the local police or civilians. Now they're targeting us."

Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner, who was on hand to welcome home the troops, told the paper there was "no doubt" the Taleban had strengthened their activities.

New Zealand had been sending troops to Afghanistan for nearly seven years and the involvement was longer than New Zealand's World War 2 campaign.

- NZPA