Hungarian soldier dies in Afghanistan

A Hungarian soldier died and three were injured as their convoy came under fire Monday morning in Afghanistan. The convoy was transporting home-bound Hungarian troops of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

The convoy carrying 29 Hungarian soldiers was on its way to the city of Mazar-e Sharif, the center of the Northern Region of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) when – following an explosion –, they came under fire from three directions 20 kilometers northwest of Pol-e Khumri.

One of the Hungarians soldiers, sergeant-major Judit Ábrahám Papp died on the spot. After the incident, the convoy returned to the base of the Hungarian PRT where the injured received medical treatment. One of them, injured seriously, is reported to be in stable but critical condition. They all traveled in the armored jeep that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Judit Ábrahám Papp had participated in several peace-keeping missions having served in Macedonia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Her husband has also served in Afghanistan earlier.

Hungarian troops have been present in Baghlan province since 2006 and several of them have been injured in acts of war but this was the first instance when a Hungarian soldier died in attack. Earlier, Hungary lost two bomb-disposal experts in Afghanistan as they were trapped by insurgents.