TALLINN — An Estonian soldier was killed by an IED road bomb in southern Afghanistan Tuesday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force announced.

Junior Sergeant Kristjan Jalakas is the eighth Estonian to give his life trying to defeat the Taliban and restore democratic government to Afghanistan. Estonia has slightly less than 300 military personnel serving in Afghanistan. The International Security Assistance Force’s total personnel is 64,000 hailing from 42 different nations.

Estonia’s president, prime minister, minister of defense, minister of foreign affairs all expressed their condolences for Jalakas’ death.

“The heavy burden of grief and sympathy are on our minds as we think of Junior Sergeant Kristjan Jalakas, who was killed in action early this morning in Afghanistan. Estonia has lost a brave soldier and the family, to whom I extend my condolences, has lost a good son and brother,” wrote President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in a letter of condolence to the next of kin of Junior Sergeant Kristjan Jalakas.