Kiwi soldier injured in Afghanistan

A New Zealand Defence Force soldier on patrol was injured when by a bomb hit one of its vehicles in Bamyan Province in Afghanistan yesterday afternoon local time.

The soldier suffered a minor cut to the face, was treated at the scene and had returned to active duty, Defence Force spokesman Commander Shaun Fogarty said today.

He said the area in which the incident happened was known for having tribal and criminal tensions between different groups and as a result the patrol was larger than normal.

"Currently NZDF personnel remain at the site of the improvised explosive device awaiting the arrival of an investigation team who'll examine the site,'' he said.

"The NZDF is constantly reviewing the security status of the area, and the possibility of any increased threat. This incident is another reminder that we can't be complacent.''

The bomb was in the same area as another that exploded in March. No-one was injured.

- NZPA