Georgian soldier missing in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Georgian Defense Ministry said a Georgian solider serving with NATO in Afghanistan has been missing since Wednesday.

Khaama Press said Regional Command Southwest is conducting a search and rescue operation in Helmand and Nimroz provinces.

The Georgian Defense Ministry said the circumstances of the situation were unclear.

"All Georgian units in theater are moved to the highest security alert posture," Georgian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Khaama Press said Georgia has two battalions in Helmand province and at least 18 Georgian troops have been killed in the country since Georgia joined the NATO mission in 2009.