Monday, February 28, 2011

Improvised explosive device on armored Italian soldier dead, four injured

KABUL - An Italian soldier died and four others were wounded in western Afghanistan for the explosion of an improvised bomb that hit an armored vehicle near Shindand Lynx. The soldiers on board, all mountain, returned from a humanitarian health care to local Popoola. The Prosecutor opened an investigation in Rome, entrusted to the substitutes Giancarlo Amato and Francesco Scavo and at the moment is the supposed crime of bombing the purposes of terrorism.

The attack was claimed by the Taliban. "Every time - said the prime minister - we wonder if this sacrifice, whether these efforts should be really serve and succeed." Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa states: "Never thought of a unilateral withdrawal." The victims, the dynamics. It was 12:45 when the Lynx was hit by an explosion near Shindand.

Seriously injured four soldiers, all belonging to the 5th Regiment of Alpine Sterzing, while a fifth, Massimo Ranzani, born in Ferrara on March 24, 1974, there was nothing to do. The explosion struck the third by a patrol returning from Medcap joint activity with the Afghan forces. The soldiers were evacuated at the military hospital (Role 2) of the base "Shaft" Shindand, the headquarters of Task Force Centre.

The patrol was part of an operation of medical assistance to the local population. The use of improvised explosive devices, despite significant progress done by the ISAF mission to counter the threat, is one of the modes of action among those used by insurgents and, in 30% of cases, affects civilian casualties.

In 2010, 712 soldiers have died in Afghanistan, including Italian, compared to 521 in 2009. Since the beginning of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan in 2001, more than 2,300 Soldiers killed. The 37 Italian victims are so divided over the years: one in 2004, two in 2005, six in 2006, two in 2007, two in 2008, nine in 2009, 13 in 2010 and two in 2011.

Reactions. The President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, has expressed his feelings of solidarity sharing in the grief of families of the fallen and an affectionate greeting to the soldiers wounded. This was announced by a statement from the Quirinale. "This morning - said the prime minister Silvio Berlusconi - we had this bad news with the death of a lieutenant of 37 years and there are other four injured and three were severe.

It 's a torment and an ordeal, and every time we ask ourselves if we make this sacrifice, by the unanimous vote of the Parliament and with the consent of all Italians, whether they really need and efforts that go into port. This is what we really are. " That Italy should not be re-discussed is the belief of the defense minister, Ignazio La Russa: "I bow before the memory of this boy, Dolors to be added to a list that is too long, a list that we can not and do not want to forget, "said La Russa, reaffirming the Italian position on Afghanistan, which should not be discussed or reaffirmed on the occasion of mourning:" There are ways and times to do it.

The line does not change the face of a sad event. The choices you make in this matter, taking into account some of these choices involve sacrifice. " "This young man was making a transfer - said the minister - 13 / 2 were Italian, including an ambulance. He was in the second column of the Lynx." This has been hit by the explosion of a crude bomb that killed the soldier and the wounding of four other crew members.

In what has been learned by the Minister La Russa one of them has suffered a badly cut leg but not life threatening. Deep pain has also been expressed by the President of the Senate, Renato Schifani: "Another falls victim sacrificed on the altar of democracy and friendship with the families of our wounded," but "Italy continues to pay the high prices, it does in full consciousness and awareness that freedom is good to ensure even outside its borders.

" The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini, has sent the Chief of Defence Staff, Biagio Abrate a message of condolence: "I learned with dismay and sorrow the news of the explosion that caused the death of Lieutenant of the Fifth Massimo Ranzani Alpine regiment. I would like to renew my appreciation for the courage, professionalism and spirit of sacrifice that our soldiers carry out their work in this tormented country.

" "Our duty is" to respect the international commitments that we have with NATO and the UN, "said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. "The international community," said the minister "asks us to remain united, to continue to support the stabilization of Afghanistan and to meet their international commitments that we have with NATO and the United Nations." "It 's clear that the question" that arises Berlusconi "we say to everyone," the minister added, noting however that "gives us the answer to the international community."

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