Wire: 3 Coalition Troops Killed by IED Blast in Helmand Province

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2009 -- Newswire services this afternoon reported that three Danish International Security Assistance Force soldiers were killed Wednesday when a bomb exploded as their vehicle passed in the southern Afghanistan province of Helmand, the Danish military said.

The three victims were leading a convoy down Highway 1 heading toward the town of Barakhzai, the military said.

The three Danes were to have ended their mission in August.

"ISAF grieves with the families and friends of these fine soldiers who were dear to us, and we offer them our condolences and support," said Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, an International Security Assistance Force spokesperson. "As we honor this immense sacrifice, we honor our commitment to the Afghan people to support them in their battle to choose their own future, free from such insurgent violence and destruction."

A total of 24 Danes have been killed in Afghanistan since Denmark deployed troops at the end of 2001, giving the Scandinavian country the highest per capita death rate among NATO forces.

Denmark has more than 700 troops in Afghanistan, most of them stationed in Helmand province under British command.

(Report from newswire and ISAF sources.)

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