A New Zealand special forces soldier was killed by a shot to the chest while he was attempting to free hostages after a Taleban attack in Afghanistan.
The SAS soldier was involved in "an exchange of gunfire" at the British Council diplomatic offices in the Afghan capital of Kabul last night and died on his way to hospital, the New Zealand Defence Force confirmed.
He was the first New Zealand SAS soldier to be killed during action in Afghanistan.
It was unclear how many people were killed in the attack, but it was believed that between 10 and 12 people, including the New Zealand soldier died as a result of the assault, which marked the 92nd anniversary of Afghanistan's independence from Britain.
A Defence Force source said last night that The Afghan Crisis Response Unit, mentored by the SAS, was involved in repelling the five-hour Taleban attack.
Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rhys Jones said the deceased soldier's family were informed last night.
His name would be released on Monday, but Jones said the soldier was not Willie Apiata and would neither confirm nor deny whether Apiata was in Afghanistan.
Jones said no other New Zealanders were injured in the attack, which involved 16 SAS troops.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/5478019/New-Zealand-SAS-soldier-killed-in-Kabul