Spain considers boosting troop presence in Afghanistan

Spain’s defence minister says she will consider sending more troops to Afghanistan amid a surge in insurgent attacks.

Carme Chacon said if post-election security conditions require a troop increase she will go to parliament to request it.

Spain has about 1,200 troops stationed in Afghanistan. About 450 of them were sent to provide security for last month’s presidential elections, and are supposed to return after the election results are known.

Spanish troops on patrol in western Afghanistan repelled an ambush yesterday, killing 13 insurgents and wounding three.

The Defence Ministry says Spanish troops did not sustain any casualties in the five-hour firefight.

A Spanish soldier was shot and wounded in the same area on Wednesday.