The three New Zealand soldiers killed in a bomb attack in the Bamyan Province in Afghanistan have been named.

They are; Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, and Private Richard Harris, 21.

The three NZ soliders killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. Photo: NZDF.

The New Zealand Defence Force reports the three were travelling in convoy in the Bamyan Province when they were killed by an improvised explosive device at about 9.20am (Afghan time).

The convoy was travelling north west of Do Abe to the Romero base about 15km by road at the time of the blast.

All three, from the 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR) based in Burnham, were deployed with the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in April 2012.

LCPL Jacinda Francis Elyse Baker is the first female New Zealand solider to be killed in Afghanistan according to reports.

She joined the NZ Army as a medic and was posted to Burnham Regional Support Company in April 2007. LCPL Baker was posted to 2/1 RNZIR in December 2007, and deployed to Solomon Islands in 2010. LCPL Baker received a Chief of Army Commendation in 2011 for her professionalism and courage during Exercise Southern Warrior in June 2008. LCPL Baker was promoted to LCPL in July 2008.

CPL Luke Douglas Tamatea joined the NZ Army in February 2000 and was posted to 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR) in Linton. He was deployed to Timor-Leste in 2001, to Solomon Islands in 2003 and to Sumatra to help with the Tsunami in 2005. CPL Tamatea had also previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. He was posted to 2/1 RNZIR in 2007. CPL Tamatea was promoted to LCPL in September 2005 and to CPL in June 2008.

PTE Richard Lee Harris joined the NZ Army in February 2009 and was posted to 2/1 RNZIR. PTE Harris had previously deployed to Timor-Leste in 2009/2010.

A map showing the locations of the two attacks that killed NZ soliders this month.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones says being soldier is a dangerous profession that carries risks, but that does not make it easier when soldiers die.

'Ours is a dangerous profession, and while we accept these risks the death of colleagues and friends is always difficult to take, particularly coming so close following the 4 August incident where we lost two soldiers.

'On behalf of the entire New Zealand Defence Force, I again extend my deepest sympathies to the families, colleagues and friends of the personnel involved. We are deeply saddened by this loss.

PRT Lance Corporals Rory Malone and Pralli Durrer were killed in an ambush in northeast Bamyan Province two weeks ago.

'The Defence Force is working to return our fallen soldiers to their families as quickly as possible. We are also providing support to the families of the personnel involved, as well as support to families with loved ones currently serving in Afghanistan, and to our Units and personnel back in New Zealand.'

Lieutenant General Jones adds that the NZ Defence Force remains committed to ensuring a smooth and measured handover of responsibility to Afghan authorities.

'New Zealand should be proud of our contribution in Bamyan, and so too the families of those who have been killed in the service of New Zealand in Afghanistan. Their sacrifice has not been in vain.

'As a result of the security that the Provincial Reconstruction Team provides significant progress has been made and is clearly visible in the classrooms built; the wells and village water supplies hooked up; the roads that have been paved; the bridges and flood protection constructed; and in the hospitals refurbished.”

Prime Minister John Key earlier indicated NZ would not be pulling out of early.

He said NZ was scheduled to leave Afghanistan in 2013 and this would still go ahead.