Other events in Baltic States

Two Latvian soldiers were killed by insurgents in a battle in Afghanistan, as Airis Rikveilis, head of the defense minister's bureau, confirmed to LETA.

This morning Sergeant Voldemars Ansevics and Private First Class Andrejs Merkusevs after a group of NATO and Afghan soldiers was attacked at about 3 a.m. Latvian time in Kunar Province.

Besides the two Latvians, also killed where three U.S. soldiers and three Afghan soldiers. Most probably the attackers were Taliban fighters.

The Defense Ministry has already informed the next of kin of the deceased and offered its condolences. Defense Minister Imants Liegis (Civic Union), who is currently paying a visit to Spain, said that he will return to Latvia immediately.

Last August Private First Class Edgars Ozolins was killed in Meimen, Afghanistan, when a homemade explosive went off underneath a vehicle escorting a team of reporters. Three other Latvian soldiers - Ainars Stepins, Brencis and Skerskans, were injured.