The man was struck by three bullets from Finnish assault rifles, two of which were stopped by his bullet-proof vest. He is recovering in a hospital in Finland and his situation is stable.

The incident occurred when Finnish soldiers were practicing night manoeuvres. The soldier, acting as a sentry, overheard one of the local languages being spoken in the dark and went to warn the other peacekeepers.

Before he could reach the other Finns, the enemy began shooting, and the Finnish side returned fire. The soldier was caught in crossfire which lasted around ten minutes. Afghan police were also involved in the shootout.

Peacekeepers Poorly Equipped Finnish peacekeepers serving in Afghanistan are critical of deficiencies in the equipment available to them in the operation. The peacekeepers say that, for example, Finland's Defence Forces have not supplied Finnish ISAF troops with utility vests. The Finnish soldiers in the peacekeeping force have borrowed vests from Swedish and Norwegian soldiers or purchased the equipment themselves. Government Re-Evaluates Afghan Mission

The government will be reconsidering the status of Finnish peacekeepers in Afghanistan in light of the deteriorating security situation.

Defence Minister Seppo Kääriäinen says the cabinet will evaluate the security situation in the country within the next few weeks, and determine whether the country is safe enough for Finnish peacekeepers.