NZ PRT Patrol triggers Improvised Explosive Device

29 June 2009 Last night a vehicle-mounted patrol from the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) in Afghanistan triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) in the north west of Bamyan Province. This follows an incident involving another PRT patrol last week in the same area where an exchange of small arms fire with suspected insurgents occurred.

This latest IED was reportedly detonated in front of a vehicle in the convoy, but resulted in no injury to personnel or damage to the vehicle.

The patrol cleared the area of immediate threat and withdrew to a secure base at a local township. How the device was initiated or who was responsible is being investigated.

ENDS

For more information please contact Captain Zac Prendergast, Defence Communications Group: 04 529 6031, 021 806 926.

The NZPRT has been in Bamyan Province since September 2003, supporting the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, Afghan National Police and the district sub-governors.

The NZPRT promotes security and stability in the region, as well as identifying and project managing various NZAID reconstruction tasks, and distributing Humanitarian Aid.

There are currently 853 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.