Madrid (ANTARA News/AFP) - A Spanish soldier was shot dead Sunday in Afghanistan after suspected insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire, Spain`s defence ministry said.

Staff Sergeant Joaquin Moya Espejo, 35, was struck by a bullet in the chest while on a patrol with Afghan forces northeast of Ludina in northwestern Badghis province, it said in a statement.

Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon will travel to Afghanistan to obtain more information regarding the soldier`s death and repatriate his remains.

Spain plans to withdraw all of its 1,500 troops serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan by 2014.

The Spanish troops are training Afghan army personnel. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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