Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. "In deepest sorrow we are together with their close ones.

This is a great loss not only for their close ones but also for all of Latvia. I am convinced that the government as well as the Armed Forces will provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and also to those who have been injured."

On 1 May, in fulfilling their service commitments, four soldiers of Latvia's Armed Forces contingent were wounded and two of them, Sergeant Voldemars Ansevics and Private First Class Andrejs Merkusevs were killed.

Alongside these Latvian soldiers, on this same day three U.S. soldiers also lost their lives. Minister Riekstins has expressed his condolences as well to the families and friends of those U.S. soldiers.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of a Latvian soldier who has died in Afghanistan.

"In our thoughts we are together with the family members of Private First Class Edgars Ozolins. This is a great loss, both for them and for all of Latvia. I believe that the government and the National Armed Forces will provide all possible assistance to the family of the fallen soldier. Due to his professional and selfless service, Edgars Ozolins will always remain in our memories."

On 11 August, as the result of the blast of an improvised explosive device deployed by insurgents, three soldiers of the National Armed Forces contingent suffered injury in the course of duty, and another, Private First Class Edgars Ozolins, died of wounds. The tragic accident occurred at 11:56 a.m., Latvian time, in the town of Maimana, where the Latvian soldiers were escorting representatives of the press.