General Peter van Uhm has announced that another Dutch serviceman has been killed in Afghanistan. Mark Leijsen, a 44-year-old sergeant major, was killed by a roadside bomb. Three other Dutch soldiers were injured in the incident and are reported to be in stable conditions.

On Sunday, the death was announced of 26-year-old Corporal Kevin van de Rijdt who died in a gun battle in Deh Rawood. Last week, gun battles and one roadside bomb resulted in five Dutch soldiers and an interpreter sustaining minor injuries. A total of 21 Dutch soldiers have died in Afghanistan.

photo: Mark Leijsen (defence ministry)