The defence force told the Sunday Star-Times newspaper it could not rule out that the soldier was shot by Afghan police during a firefight at a Kabul hotel last week.
The Australian Broadcasting Service quoted a senior Afghan police official as saying that one of his men accidentally shot and wounded the Kiwi soldier as NATO forces tried to retake the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.
A defence force spokesman said he doubted the claim.
"Although you cannot always be completely sure in very complex operations with multiple agencies involved in resolving the situation, we have no evidence to suggest friendly fire was a factor in what occurred," he said.
Two New Zealand soldiers were wounded in the battle and both were reported to be recovering well.
The hotel was hosting delegates attending an Afghan security conference and a large wedding party when the insurgents struck. The battle ended with at least 21 dead, including the nine attackers.
(Uu.B002)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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