More than 500 Bulgarian rangers are on security missions in some of the hottest points in Afghanistan. Photo by BNGES.
Bulgarian servicemen in Afghanistan fended off an unauthorized intrusion into Kandahar airport Saturday night, according to a release of the Ministry of Defense Monday.
Saturday evening 8.40 local time Bulgarian soldiers guarding Kandahar airport saw a vehicle approaching its main entrance at high speed, ignoring red lights and crossing the security fences.
The Bulgarian rangers fired and detained the intruders. No one was hurt.
It turned out they were not attackers, but rather locals who had liberally treated themselves with alcohol.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense nevertheless communicates that tensions in Kandahar province are rising. For the last two days the Kandahar airport has been attacked four times with five rockets fired against it.
No Bulgarian serviceman has been hurt in the attacks.
Around 300 Bulgarians are in charge of security of the south perimeter in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, seen as a Taliban bastion.
Bulgaria participates in the international forces in Afghanistan with a total of around 530 security servicemen, including medical personnel, in Kabul and Kandahar.
Some 70 more Bulgarian soldiers are expected to join the mission by end of 2010.