Australian Forces Under Fire In Afghanistan

Thursday, 18 September 2008

Australian Forces Under Fire In Southern Afghanistan

A Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) patrol was fired upon overnight near Tarin Kowt, in Southern Afghanistan.

After being fired upon from a number of locations the SOTG patrol returned fire in self-defence. No Australians were wounded and the patrol has now returned to base.

The ADF can confirm that a number of groups, including Afghan National Police personnel, were also in the vicinity of the incident.

Although the facts are not clear at present, it is possible that a number of Afghan Police may have been killed. We are seeking to confirm the veracity of these reports.

The Australian Defence Force takes all such incidents very seriously and is conducting an assessment to clarify the circumstances of the attack.

The ADF will work closely with ISAF and Afghan authorities both in Oruzgan province and in Kabul to investigate this matter

The SOTG operation continues and elements of the Task Group remain in the field.

Further details about this incident will be provided when confirmed facts are available and the operational situation allows.

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