15 October (BNS)

A member of the Estonian infantry company ESTCOY-12 was killed and three were wounded in Afghanistan on Saturday morning.

The platoon was carrying out an operation to clear its area of responsibility on Saturday morning when it came under attack from a remote-controlled improvised explosive device and two of its members were wounded by splinters. The wounded soldiers were airlifted to the Camp Bastion field hospital where they received immediate treatment and their lives are not in danger.

The platoon continued the operation but was caught in an ambush. In the exchange of fire that followed two Estonian soldiers received bullet wounds, with Cpl. Agris Hutrof getting shot in the stomach. Both the wounded were also immediately evacuated to the Camp Bastion hospital where doctors gave them aid but unfortunately they were not able to save Cpl. Hutrof, 25, who died in hospital.

The injuries of the other wounded soldiers are not life-threatening. Their families have been informed. ESTCOY-12 will continue operations in its area of responsibility. The Defence Forces extend deepest sympathy to the family of Cpl. Hutrof and ask journalists to respect the grief of the fallen soldier's family and friends.

"Estonia has lost a brave member of the Defence Forces, Cpl. Agris Hutrof, who gave to the security of Estonia, our allies and Afghanistan the most precious gift he had. I bow my head in mourning and extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Cpl. Hutrof for this irreplaceable loss," Defense Minister Mart Laar said. "Agris Hutrof was an exemplary soldier whose cheerfulness and calmness were always a great support to fellow soldiers in difficult times. He always performed his duties in an exemplary fashion,"

Hutrof started service in the Defence Forces in the Viru Infantry Battalion in 2008. After doing military service he joined the Scouts Battalion and in May this year was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of ESTCOY-12. Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves will posthumously award Corporal Agris Hutrof the Gold Cross of the Cross of the Eagle with Swords.