The small Armenian contingent deployed in Afghanistan has earned praise from immediate German commanders for effective service and exhibited initiative in protecting strategic facilities in a troubled Afghan city, according to a report by the Armenian Defense Ministry.

A 40-strong Armenian peacekeeping brigade has been on mission to help NATO-led allied forces fight Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan since February 14. The Armenian detachment is tasked with ensuring the security of the strategically important airport of Kunduz. The everyday service of the Armenian personnel, reporting to German command, includes patrolling in the airport and surrounding area, guarding the posts, as well as detecting possible threats.

“In the past three weeks the group has received the high evaluation of the German command for showing high effectiveness in the extra safety means undertaken in the area of the airport upon their own initiative,” the Armenian ministry (www.mil.am) said.