Romanian Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

„The soldier was on a mission and an anti-personnel mine went off. No one else was injured,” they said.

Government members held a moment of silence in his memory Wednesday morning at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting.

The Defense Ministry said in a press release sergeant-major Valerica Leu, 31, of the 33rd Maneuver Battalion in Afghanistan, was killed Wednesday morning in the explosion of an anti-personnel mine.

Leu was on a mission to secure an access road. He was badly injured in the blast, and although he was immediately taken to hospital, he did not survive.

Leu was married and had one child.

Romania’s’ Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea and General Staff Chief Gheorghe Marin have expressed their deepest regrets and condolences to the soldier’s family.

Romania is sending 600 additional troops to Afghanistan starting the end of this week.

Romania currently has little over 1,000 troops in Afghanistan. Over the past years, 12 Romanian troops were killed during military operations in Afghanistan and dozens others were injured.