Guttenberg announced the modest increase during a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where Germany has the third largest contingent in the NATO-led mission with 4,200 troops.
“I’ve made the decision to reinforce Kundus with an additional infantry company from mid-January,” the new defense minister said at the dust-covered field post in Kundus, where he visited a wounded soldier and ate at the mess hall.”
Update from AFP: German minister ‘shot at’ during Afghan visit
A helicopter convoy carrying German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg came under fire from the ground during a recent surprise visit to troops in the area, several media reported on Sunday.
None of the three helicopters in the convoy were hit during the attack, which happened on Friday morning after the minister visited German soldiers in the northern area of Kunduz, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said. (photo: AFP)