WELLINGTON - Two members of the New Zealand Defence Force serving in Afghanistan were killed and six others wounded in an encounter with suspected insurgents on Saturday.

The New Zealand Defence Force confirmed on Sunday that two personnel serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province were killed in the incident, in the north-east of the province.

It said the incident occurred when Defence Force personnel came to the assistance of local security forces who had encountered suspected insurgents near a village south of Do Abe.

The six wounded New Zealanders have been evacuated to a military hospital.

Two local security personnel were also killed and 11 others wounded.

The New Zealand Defence Force said it will release no names for 24 hours, out of consideration for the families involved.

The Chief of New Zealand Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Rhys Jones, said they are deeply saddened by the loss.