Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Three Georgian soldiers involved in the international peacekeeping mission were killed in the attack of a suicide bomber on the base of the 42nd Battalion of the Georgian contingent in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Monday.

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania speaking at a special briefing late on Monday described the attack as "the largest" one on the Georgian troops since deployment in Afghanistan in late 2009.

According to Alasania, the combined attack involved suicide truck bombers and "a group of insurgents" who blew up a truck.

"Our military managed to repel the attack and destroyed all the terrorists and now the situation is under control of our military," Alasania noted.

Several Georgian servicemen were wounded as well.

Corporal Alexander Kvitsinadze, Corporal Vladimer Shanava and Sergeant Zviad Davitadze died in the attack, civil.ge reported.

Alasania said the Georgian military acted professionally and was able to avoid big losses.

Alasania said every family that lost their loved ones was notified by the Defense Ministry and extended his condolences.

"I want to note the Georgian troops' courage and heroism; this very courage and soldiers' professionalism helped to avoid an even bigger tragedy," Alasania said.

Alasania added that the attacked Georgian military base will be relocated.

Georgia has almost doubled its contribution to the NATO-led ISAF mission to over 1,560 servicemen last fall.

Georgia, a significant contributor to Euro-Atlantic security, joined the ISAF mission in November 2009 with the deployment of about 170 soldiers in Kabul. In April 2010 Georgia increased its contribution by sending a battalion to the Helmand province and in October 2012 Georgia added one more battalion. Currently, Georgia is the second largest troop contributor to Afghanistan among the non-NATO states.