Ten French soldiers killed in Afghanistan fighting
Tuesday, 19 Aug 2008 18:33
Ten French paratroopers reported killed in heavy fighting east of Kabul, Afghanistan
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Ten French paratroopers have been killed in heavy fighting in Afghanistan.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the deaths, the largest loss suffered by his country's army in a single incident since 58 paratroopers died in Beirut 25 years ago.
A further 21 soldiers were injured in the incident.
Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) had earlier said its troops were involved in a "significant incident" with insurgents east of the capital Kabul.
Mr Sarkozy said the troops had been engaged in a joint operation with the Afghan national army when they were ambushed.
"Serious measures, notably in the air, were taken to support and extricate our men caught in an extremely violent ambush," a statement Mr Sarkozy said.
The French president is due to travel to Afghanistan shortly, his office added.