Amsterdam  -  Two Dutch soldiers were killed and two others sustained serious injuries one of them critical in an explosion of a roadside bomb in the Afghan province of Uruzghan, Dutch Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop confirmed on Friday.

The vehicle in which the four Dutch soldiers were driving was struck Friday morning when driving back from a mission to Camp Holland.

One of the victims was the son of the Netherlands new chief of staff, General Peter van Uhm.

The official ceremony for the transfer of power from the outgoing chief of staff Dick Berlijn to van Uhm took place just Thursday.

A total of 16 Dutch soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, eight of whom during military operations. (dpa)