Georgian Soldier Missing In Afghanistan

Georgia has some 1,570 troops in Afghanistan, making the country the largest non-NATO contributor to the mission.

A spokesman for the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan says a Georgian soldier with the mission is missing in the southwest of the country.

Georgia's Defense Ministry in a statement on December 21 confirmed the disappearance of the soldier, but provided few details.

Martyn Crighton, a spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, said a search was under way for the soldier, who has been missing since December 19.

The Georgian soldier is believed to be the first to have disappeared in Afghanistan since a U.S. soldier was taken prisoner by the Taliban more than three years ago.

Georgia has some 1,570 troops in Afghanistan, making the country the largest non-NATO contributor to the mission.

Eighteen Georgian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan over the past three years.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP