Fresh landmine injures U.S. troop

A U.S. mine clearing vehicle in operation at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

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BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A single landmine that injured a U.S. paratrooper in eastern Afghanistan had been planted within the past two weeks, according to a military spokeswoman.

The soldier, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, was in stable condition at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany with non-life-threatening injuries, Maj. Mary Swan of the U.S. Air Force said.

He stepped on the landmine Saturday while on routine patrol near Khowst in an area thought to be free of mines.

After further analysis and sweeps of the area, investigators determined the explosive device had recently been buried there.

About 21 known minefields are located near Khowst and coalition forces have cleared three.

Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, containing about 10 percent of the 60-70 million landmines world-wide.

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