Resolute Support troops killed in eastern Afghanistan suicide bombing

A suicide bomber killed three service members with NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan and injured three others, the mission said.

“Three Resolute Support service members were killed by a suicide bomber during a combined, dismounted patrol with Afghan forces in eastern Afghanistan, August 5,” the mission said in a press release.

An American service member and two Afghan National Army soldiers were injured in the bombing.

“My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all of the 41-contributing Resolute Support nations, are with the families and friends of our fallen and wounded service members, and our injured Afghan brothers and their families,” U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan commander said. “Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history, and further strengthen our resolve.”

The three soldiers were Czech, Jan Hamáček, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed. The Czech Minister of Defense identified them as Sergeant MM, Corporal KB, and Corporal PŠ.

“The Czech Republic has suffered a terrible loss. Our three soldiers were killed in a suicide attack while on a foot patrol with Afghan forces in Parwan province. My thoughts remain with the families and friends of our fallen [soldiers],” Hamáček tweeted.

There are 281 Czech troops deployed to the Resolute Support mission.

Earlier, Tolo News reported that a suicide car bomber targeted the convoy early Sunday morning in Parwan province.

Wahida Shahkar, spokesperson for the provincial governor, said the attack happened around 6 a.m. local time as the convoy was driving in the Khala Zai area of the province. No civilian casualties were reported, she said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This story was updated throughout the day on August 5 to add additional details and background.