NZ speeds up troop pullout after deaths

Published on 21/08/2012 00:00

New Zealand is to accelerate the withdrawal of its soldiers from Afghanistan after it lost another three troops this weekend in Bamiyan, a province thought to have been the country’s safest, but which is being increasingly targeted by Taleban insurgents.

Prime minister John Key said yesterday it was “highly likely” Wellington would start the pullout of its 145-strong contingent by April, about six months earlier than expected.