Commander: elections will lead to increased risks for Czech soldiers in Afghanistan

Twenty-seven Czech soldiers who had been serving at an airport in Kabul since December returned to the Czech Republic on Tuesday. The troops who have replaced them can look forward to tough times as elections will take place in Afghanistan during their tour, their commander Lieutenant Colonel Jiří Pluhař told reporters. The elections will lead to increased risks and a worsening of the overall security situation, he said. Some 480 Czech soldiers are currently serving with the ISAF peace mission in Afghanistan, while 100 more are taking part in anti-terrorism operations as part of the US-led operation Enduring Freedom.

Author: Ian Willoughby