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US Department of Defense
American Forces Press Service


American Soldier Loses Foot in Mine Explosion

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2003 – An American soldier lost his right foot Jan. 9 when he stepped on a land mine at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, outside the capital city of Kabul.

A U.S. military spokesman at Bagram said the soldier was participating in a mine-clearing operation at about 9 a.m. local time when he stepped into an uncleared area and tripped the mine.

U.S. officials this morning reported the soldier is in stable condition and en route to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. A Polish soldier was also injured in the explosion, but no details were available on the extent of his injuries or his condition.

An Afghan contract worker also was injured seriously Jan. 9 in a separate mine explosion at the air base. He underwent surgery at the U.S. Army hospital on Bagram and is listed currently in critical condition.