Soldiers' bodies arrive in Christchurch

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Soldiers' bodies arrive in Christchurch

3News NZ

Soldiers carry their comrades' bodies out of the plane

Soldiers carry their comrades' bodies out of the plane

By 3 News online staff

The bodies of the two New Zealand soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Saturday were repatriated last night, arriving in Christchurch just before 11pm.

A service is set to take place at the Burnham military camp tomorrow for Lance Corporals Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone, before their bodies are released to their families for private funerals.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday he won't be attending the commemorative service as he'll be overseas watching his son play baseball.

L/Cpl. Durrer and Malone were both on their first deployment to Afghanistan when they were attacked last weekend.

L/Cpl. Malone was helping his company commander when he was fatally injured. He died instantly.

L/Cpl. Durrer died in a helicopter on the way to Bagram.

Six soldiers were injured, but their names will not be released at this time. They are being treated in military hospitals.

The troops had gone to the aid of local security forces fighting suspected insurgents near a village south of Do Abe at about 7pm NZT on Saturday.

The insurgents moved into a building and the New Zealanders were asked to fire on the building and secure the area. They were attacked as they were moving to secure high ground.

3 News/NZN

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Comments

13/08/2012 9:33:23 p.m.

Willard Mubvumbi wrote:

Oh! What a STUPID leader. Stultissimus!

13/08/2012 4:26:59 p.m.

Moera wrote:

I'm appalled that Key, the NZ Prime Minister did not think that the deaths of two NZ soldiers weren't worthy enough to recognise. Especially when Key sent them there in the first place. I'm so amazed at Key's lack of empathy to these soldiers and their familites. Then again, should I really be surprised?? After all look at the state of the country.

10/08/2012 2:22:27 p.m.

Nam wrote:

Key attended the funeral of the airmen who died in the helicopter crash and they weren't even under combat. He gave up representing NZ overseas to do so. But we were coming up to an election and the photo op was more important.

10/08/2012 12:58:09 p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

You cant blame Key for this cowardly call. You see Key never had a real father so he doesn't really know what being a real father (or leader for that matter) is really all about! A good father (and leader) would have used the opportunity to educate his son about hard calls in life and sent his son off with his mother to baseball and attended these brave warriors funeral in person. Instead the message he sends his son is sport is more important than country, responsibilities and honour. Willie Apiata was obviously smart giving up on the NZ Army - who would risk their lives for the likes of Key?

10/08/2012 8:03:51 a.m.

whakawear wrote:

they died doing what they lived for....thanks boys, its a pity the PM doesn't see it that way and will be watching his son play baseball....how sad. Family I agree does come first but when your elected PM, these boys do deserve to be treated with respect as warriors who served our country by if baseball is more important.....let see what the rest of NZ think MR PM