Lowcountry Guardsmen Among Those Injured in Blast

The five soldiers injured in Wednesday's suicide bombing in Afghanistan are in serious but stable condition Friday, according to the South Carolina National Guard's top officer.

At a press conference in Columbia, Adjutant Gen. Robert Livingston Jr. reported to multiple media outlets that the five soldiers — two from the Lowcountry, two from the Midlands and one from the Upstate — had shrapnel wounds, broken bones and that several amputations have been performed.

Livingston did not name the individuals involved the incident.

of Easley, , 30, of Lexington and Spc. John David Meador II, 36, also of Lexington, were killed in Khost City, Khost Province, Afghanistan, when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber.

Livingston said the bodies of the dead will be returned to South Carolina early next week, with funeral arrangements to follow.

“This tragic news is a constant reminder that our men and women in uniform and their families deserve our thanks each and every day," said Gov. Nikki Haley in a statement released on Friday. "We continue to pray for the recovery of the injured and the families of the lost, and South Carolina will now put all of our focus on helping them going forward.”

The eight soldiers were part of the 133rd Military Police Company, commonly called the Palmetto Regulators. The unit is based in Timmonsville.

Wednesday was the bloodiest day in Afghanistan for the S.C. National Guard, according to The State.