Taliban Attack Repelled By Australian Soldiers

Taliban Attack Successfully Repelled By Australian Reconstruction Task Force

Australian soldiers in Afghanistan have repelled a further attack by Taliban extremists as reconstruction work continued at a site in Oruzgan Province.

The security element at the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) site was involved in a 90-minute engagement with extremists around midday yesterday (Friday, 10 August).

Defence Spokesman, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the Australian security element was attacked when rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were fired at them in an alley.

"A small number of soldiers were attacked by Taliban extremists who used small-arms and RPGs fired from multiple positions. An aggressive and precise response by our soldiers repelled the Taliban attack," Brigadier Nikolic said.

"A nearby Australian Light Armoured Vehicle patrol was also attacked by RPGs and returned fire with its weapons systems in support of the soldiers. "

"The fighting was reported as being close and intense and it was the firepower, mobility and protection the soldiers had at their disposal that again proved the difference in this contact."

The RTF security element was reinforced by ISAF attack helicopters which provided observation support as well as direct engagement of targets.

Brigadier Nikolic said the extremist attack was successfully repelled by the RTF, with no Australian troops wounded, no RTF vehicles damaged and no disruption to the engineer task being undertaken.

The Taliban extremist force is known to have suffered causalities during the engagement. The ADF does not routinely release the specific details of casualties suffered by its adversaries.

A similar attack in the same area occurred on Wednesday (8 August).

ENDS

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