Romanian soldier injured in Afghanistan

A Romanian soldier was injured in Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, in an attack carried out by the insurgents, Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN) informs. Sergeant Bida Ionel Eugen was part of a joint Romanian-Afghan team patrolling in Zabul province. The soldier was immediately transported to the Lagman camp hospital, where he was taken to the surgery room.

According to a MAPN communiqué, sergeant Bida Ionel Eugen, part of the Liaison and Advisory Operational Team (OMLT) no. 1, type Battalion, from the Zabul region in Afghanistan, was injured on Wednesday, around 9am (Romanian time).

The soldier was part of a joint Romanian-Afghan team that was attacked by insurgents, firing at them while the team was patrolling 40 km North-West of Qalat, Zabul province.

Following the attack, Sergeant Bida Ionel Eugen had his right leg injured. He was immediately taken with a medical evacuation helicopter to the hospital in Lagman camp, where the surgeons took care of him. The soldier is stable now.

According to the quoted source, Romanian Defence minister Gabriel Oprea and Major State General admiral Gheorghe Marin are following closely the condition of the injured soldier.

Romania sent 1,020 soldiers to Afghanistan. The authorities in Bucharest decided to send 600 more. During the last years, 12 Romanian soldiers died in military missions in Afghanistan and 52 were injured.