BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Three Afghan citizens have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of two Romanian soldiers and the wounding of a third, Romania's defense minister said Monday.

Mihnea Motoc said that the Romanians were training Afghan police officers Saturday morning near Kandahar when two men wearing Afghan police uniforms who were "probably Afghan police" opened fire.

Motoc said the Romanians returned fire. Two soldiers died later at a hospital and the third was transferred to Germany for treatment. An investigation is underway.

President Klaus Iohannis posthumously bestowed the Star of Romania award on the two soldiers for "manifesting dedication and courage ... and the spirit of sacrifice they proved during the mission in ... Afghanistan."

The defense ministry says Romania has around 630 troops serving in Afghanistan and has had soldiers there since 2002.