Battle of Nad

On 17 June, in the midst of Operation Panther's Claw, Estonian Jagu Estcoy-8 "Scoutspatalijon" platoon company was ordered in clearing a heavily mined region of Helmand Province known as the Nad e-Ali locality road juncture with the stated objective of clearing path for advancing Coalition partners. While scouting a road near the village, Taliban insurgents ambushed Estcoy-8 infantry company with Rocket Propelled Grenades from 200 feet. The imminent rocket attack instantly killed the leader of the platoon Chief Warrant Officer Veebel Allain Tikko (30) and gravely wounding three other Estonian soldiers of his unit. The Scoutspatalijon company returned the fire scattering insurgent elements.
On 24 August, during a joint company mine clearance of a road segment outside the area known as Nad e-Ali, approximately two kilometers from the their Pinön patrol base. At the time of the clash pioneering division Estcoy-8 infantry company of the Estonian Defense Force 1st Infantry Brigade was leading the operation with companies Estcoy-7 and Estcoy-2 traveling in the offset with logistic support group NSE-7 of NCO and staff officers. While transversing up the road clearance Estcoy-8 armored personnel carrier holding eight passengers exploded under the overlap of a improvised explosive device instantly killing Sgt. Maj. Eerik Salmus (26) and critically injuring Sgt. Raivis Kang (26) who died at the scene moments later. Sharpnel fragments lead to the injuries of several soldiers a accompanying the vehicle.
On 15 December, in a separate land mine scouting out of Wahid Patrol Base Sergeant Kristjan Jalakas (19) was instantly killed and another unidentified Estonian soldier was gravely wounded by a detonated bomb near the Nad e-Ali juncture.

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