3 German soldiers injured in attack on convoy in Afghanistan

The German military said three soldiers were injured Thursday in a roadside bomb attack on their convoy in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The three soldiers — two hurt severely and one with slight injuries — had been in an armored vehicle patrolling near Kunduz when an improvised explosive device blew up, causing the vehicle to tip onto its side, the military command headquarters said in a statement.

The two with severe injuries were to be flown to Germany for medical treatment; the command headquarters said their lives were not in danger.

In a statement posted on the Taliban's Web site, militant spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Kunduz attack. Mujahid could not be reached by phone for comment.

Germany has more than 3,000 troops serving in Afghanistan's relatively calm north as part of international efforts to provide security and help oversee the reconstruction of the countries.

Berlin has resisted pressure from NATO allies to send troops to the country's volatile south. Even so, opinion polls show increasing skepticism about the mission among the German public.