A Portuguese soldier was killed in a blast caused by a bomb or a landmine in Afghanistan's capital Friday, defence officials said. He was the second foreign peacekeeper to die in the city this week.
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier was killed and three others wounded, one seriously, when the blast struck their vehicle on patrol in the outskirts of the city, spokesman Major Andy Elmes said.
"It was an explosion. We are still trying to determine whether it's a mine, an IED (improvised explosive device) or something else," Elmes told AFP.
The defence ministry said the blast was caused by a mine. "We are investigating to determine whether this was an old mine or one of those newly planted by the enemies," ministry spokesman Mohammand Zahir Azimi said.
In a televised address to the nation, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio said he had spoken to the widow of the dead soldier, who military officials identified as Sergeant Joao Pereira, to extend his condolences.