A Spanish patrol from the Qala i Naw Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was engaged in northern Afghanistan shortly after first light yesterday morning.

The troops, who had been taking part in a joint mission with Afghan police, returned fire and called in two NATO jet fighters to dissuade their attackers, who quickly dispersed.

Several rifle shots were fired at the patrol though neither material damage nor casualties were sustained.

A Defence ministry spokesman was unable to confirm whether this attack is linked to a similar incident last Saturday close to nearby Moqur.

Spanish patrol engaged in fire-fight in Afghanistan
By: thinkSPAIN
Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Spanish Defence ministry confirmed yesterday that a Spanish patrol from the Qala i Naw Provincial Reconstruction Team came under fire at around 1am local time yesterday lunchtime near Moqur.

The Spanish troops were taking part in a joint reconnaissance mission with Afghan police when they were attacked by a gang of unidentified individuals, who soon ran off when their fire was returned.

At this stage, it is not known whether the attackers were Talebans, drug traffickers or merely delincuents.

There were no casualties and given that the troop carrier was also undamaged, the patrol completed its mission before returning to base, the Defence ministry spokesman went on to explain.