Soldier Killed In IED Attack

Department of Defence Media Mail List
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MSPA 374/08 Thursday, 27 November 2008

Soldier Killed In IED Attack

An Australian soldier serving with the Special Operations Task Group was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonation early today in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan.

Two other SOTG troops were slightly wounded in the explosion.

The soldier was a member of the Sydney-based 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), and was conducting a dismounted patrol when he and his team were struck by the IED.

The soldier’s immediate family has been advised and is receiving support from Army representatives.

The two wounded soldiers have returned to operational duties.

Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley has expressed his condolences to the soldier’s family.

“The soldier was intimately involved in ongoing Australian Special Forces operations to neutralise and fracture the Taliban insurgency’s leadership in Oruzgan province.”

Lieutenant General Hurley said the Taliban insurgents continued to prefer the indiscriminate use of IEDs over close-battle with Australian and ISAF elements.

“His death is a tragic reminder that Afghanistan remains a dangerous place and that our Service personnel place themselves in great danger to assist the Afghan population each day,” Lieutenant General Hurley said.

“His death will be keenly felt within the SOTG, across Army and throughout the wider ADF.”

Further details of the ADF commitment to Afghanistan can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/opslipper/default.htm.

Media Note:
At the request of the soldier’s family the ADF will not release his personal details at this time.

As SOTG operations are ongoing, Defence will not provide further detail on this incident at this time as it could jeopardise the safety of those who remain in the field.

ENDS

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