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PRAGUE (AP) — Three Czech service members were killed early Sunday during a Taliban suicide attack in Afghanistan, the Czech military said.
The overnight attack took place near the Bagram military base in the province of Parwan, the country's armed forces said. It identified the service members as Staff. Sgt. Martin Marcin, 36, Cpl. Kamil Benes, 28 and Cpl. Patrik Stepanek, 25.
The military said their families were informed and the soldier's bodies would be transported home on Wednesday. Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar offered his condolences.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis joined him, calling the three "the heroes who were fighting against the terrorists so far from their home."
"I appreciate what they have done for our country," Babis added.
Thirteen Czech soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002.
The Czechs recently approved a plan to deploy 390 soldiers in Afghanistan through 2020, up from the current 230, as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.
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