Fifth Czech Soldier Dies After Blast In Afghanistan

The Czech Defense Ministry says a soldier who was seriously injured in a blast that killed four other Czech servicemen in Afghanistan last week has died.

The soldiers were among the 16 people killed on July 8 after a suicide bomber struck Afghan and foreign forces in the eastern province of Parwan.

In a brief statement, the ministry said the fifth soldier died on July 14 in Prague's military hospital, a day after he was transported home from Afghanistan.

It is the largest number of Czechs killed in a single attack in Afghanistan.

The Czech government has pledged to keep troops in Afghanistan.

Based on reporting by AP and ceskenoviny.cz