Australian Soldier And Afghan Soldiers Wounded By Improvised Explosive Device

An Australian soldier from the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) and three Afghan National Army soldiers were wounded yesterday (11 November 2009) when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated during operations in Southern Afghanistan.

The Australian soldier, who received minor shrapnel wounds, is likely to return to duty within days.

He was aero medically evacuated with two of the Afghan National Army soldiers, one of whom was seriously wounded, to Tarin Kowt for further treatment.

The third Afghan National Army soldier, who was not seriously wounded, returned to his patrol base on foot with the rest of the patrol after receiving first aid.

The wounded soldiers were conducting a joint patrol north of Tarin Kowt when they were targeted with the IED.

The Australian soldier’s family has been notified while he, along with two of the Afghan National Army soldiers, continue to be treated at the ISAF medical facility in Tarin Kowt.

92 Australian Defence Force members have been wounded since Operation SLIPPER began. For the year to date, 34 ADF members have been wounded.

This incident highlights the ongoing danger faced by all Australians in Afghanistan.

ENDS