LOC19:23
16:23 GMT
PARIS, July 11 (KUNA) -- France reported on Monday it had lost its 64th
soldier since the Afghan conflict began in 2011, after an infantry man died in
an apparent friendly-fire incident in the Tagab region earlier in the day.
Official sources at the Defence Ministry said that the solider was shot by
one of his comrades on their return from an armoured patrol mission. He died
later of his wounds in a Kabul hospital.
No other details of the incident were given, except to say the death
occurred at the entry to the French base.
France has almost 4,000 troops deployed in the Afghan conflict and
announced it would begin progressively withdrawing some forces in the coming
months in line with US plans to withdraw about 30 percent of forces by the end
of next year.
All NATO and Coalition troops are due to leave Afghanistan and hand over
control of security to Afghan forces in 2014. (end)
jk.mt
KUNA 111923 Jul 11NNNN