Spanish soldier killed in western Afghanistan

By Al Goodman
CNN

MADRID, Spain (CNN) - A Spanish soldier was killed and five others were wounded on Wednesday when their patrol vehicle struck a hidden bomb in western Afghanistan, Spain's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The explosion of the improvised explosive device came at 9:30 a.m. local time when the Spanish troops were on patrol in a 11 vehicle convoy near Syah Washan, close to Herat, the base for many of Spain's troops in the country.

The blast hit a Spanish military vehicle carrying six soldiers, fatally wounding Cpl. Ancor Cabello Santana, who died soon after at a nearby military hospital. The five others were reported to have slight wounds.

The patrol aimed to demonstrate Spain's troop presence and dismantle militant check points in the Pasthun Zarghun district, east of Herat, the ministry statement said.