afghanistan shooting incident Jan 24, 2013

Three Georgian soldiers were wounded in Afghanistan Thursday. (Photo: Ministry of Defense.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Three Georgian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan when insurgents opened fire as they were out on patrol.

Corporal Erekle Kharshiladze and Junior Sergeant Iaho Kakulia received minor injuries. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, their health condition is stable. They have been moved to the US Military Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany for medical treatment.

A third soldier, Private Guram Chimakhidze, was hit by an explosion from an antipersonnel mine while on patrol and was seriously injured as a result. He was moved to Bastion Hospital, and his health condition is stable. He will also be moved to the Landstuhl Hospital in Germany in the near future.

Georgia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to ISAF with about 1 700 service members, and has lost 19 soldiers in Afghanistan.