The Croatian soldier "was forced to open fire in self-defence" as the civilian aimed to run over the military police officers manning the checkpoint. "The use of firearms was in line with the standard procedures used by the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission in such cases," the statement said.
None of the members of the Croatian contingent were injured in the incident, which occurred on February 2. The civilian was hospitalised and his life is not in danger.
The Croatian military police were deployed in Afghanistan in early 2003 and are operating as part of the German contingent.