NZ army patrol fired upon in Afghanistan

A New Zealand army patrol in Afghanistan has come under gunfire from insurgents overnight.

The patrol from the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) was in Do Abe, 50km north east of the Kiwi Base in Bamyan, liaising with the Afghanistan National Police (ANP) in an (ANP) compound.

There were no New Zealand or ANP casualties.

The exchange of gunfire, lasting about 15 minutes, involved small arms and rocket propelled grenades from an estimated six to eight unidentified insurgents.

The attack ended after Coalition air support was requested by the Kiwi Base in Bamyan.

- NZ HERALD STAFF