Road-Side Bomb Kills Eight Afghan Army Troops

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

MSPA 008/10 Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Road-Side Bomb Kills Eight Afghan Army Troops

A road-side bomb planted on a route between two bases operated by Afghan and Australian soldiers in the Chora Valley has killed eight Afghan National Army (ANA) troops.

At the time of the incident, on Thursday 7 January, ANA soldiers from the Australian-mentored 2nd Kandak were conducting a logistics task. There were no Australian or coalition soldiers involved in the explosion.

The bodies of the Afghan soldiers killed in the incident were air-transported to Tarin Kowt where an honour guard of Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force members formally paid respects to their Afghan colleagues.

On behalf of the Australian Defence Force, the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Major General Mark Kelly, extended sincere condolences to the ANA for the loss of these personnel in a letter to the Commander of the ANA's 4th Brigade.

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said the loss of the soldiers is a tragedy for the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan people they protect.

"The Afghan soldiers working with the Australian mentors are demonstrating courage and tenacity and have been growing in confidence in their capacity to provide security for the local people in Oruzgan Province. Neither this bombing nor others will deter our resolve to continue protecting the local people and providing a level of security for the community.

"The Taliban continues to resort to tactics such as roadside bombs, which remain pervasive and indiscriminate, killing civilians and Afghan security forces alike, as well as targeting coalition operations," Lieutenant General Mark Evans said.

The threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has increased dramatically in the past two years.

Australia is mentoring the 2nd and 4th Kandaks of the 4th Brigade of the ANA.

Media Note: Imagery is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/images/gallery/2010/0112/index.htm

ENDS

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