Shooting Incident In Afghanistan

Shooting Incident In Afghanistan

Reconstruction Task Force soldiers have fired on a suspect vehicle as it approached a checkpoint protecting an engineer work site in Oruzgan Province.

The driver failed to heed visual and verbal warnings and the vehicle presented an immediate threat to the Australian soldiers when it accelerated towards the checkpoint site. The Afghan male driver received non life-threatening injuries in the shooting.

"There is a significant threat of improvised explosive devices in the Tarin Kowt area," Brigadier Nikolic said. "On this occasion the driver's failure to comply to signals from the soldiers and his decision to accelerate as he approached the checkpoint caused the RTF soldiers to open fire."

The vehicle stopped immediately after being struck by rifle fire and the Australian soldiers secured the incident site.

"Importantly, once they had identified that the vehicle and driver no longer posed a threat, the Australian soldiers moved quickly to provide immediate first-aid to the Afghan driver and assisted in his evacuation to a nearby ISAF hospital for further treatment."

The RTF has begun an investigation into the shooting as it does with all incidents of this nature.

Members of the RTF have also spoken with the injured man's family and local officials concerning the incident.

ENDS

© Scoop Media