ADF Troops Involved in Incident in Afghanistan

MSPA 420/08 Wednesday, 31 December 2008

ADF Troops Involved in Incident in Afghanistan

Australian soldiers operating in Afghanistan as part of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force were involved in a shooting incident yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, 30 Dec 08) Afghan local time (2012 AEST) while supporting an Afghan National Army operation.

A man approached a patrol in a manner that was suspicious, as a result of his behaviour and failure to comply with repeated directions by soldiers to stop, the man was fired upon and killed.

Initial indications are that the response by the patrol was appropriate to the situation and in accordance with their training and escalation of force procedures.

In accordance with Defence?s normal protocols, the incident is now under investigation and Defence will not release additional information until that investigation is complete.

Further details of the incident and the location will not be provided at this time as operations are ongoing.

ENDS

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