Australian soldiers wounded by IED

Australian soldiers wounded in Improvised Explosive Device attacks*

Two Australian Special Forces soldiers have been slightly wounded in separate incidents when the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles they were travelling in struck Improvised Explosive Devices on the 28^th of October.

One soldier suffered a lower back injury, while the other suffered a minor ankle injury.

The soldiers were conducting operations with their partner unit, the Provincial Response Company (PRC) in Northern Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The incidents occurred moments after each other in separate locations.

Both wounded soldiers received immediate first aid.

One soldier suffered a lower back injury and was first aero medically evacuated to the Role 2 medical facility at the Multi National Base Camp at Tarin Kot, before being flown to the Role 3 Medical Facility in Kandahar as a precaution, for further medical assessment.

The second soldier suffered a minor ankle injury but remained with his patrol and continued to complete the operation.

There were no civilians, or other military personnel killed or wounded in the strikes.

The announcement of these incidents was delayed to maintain operational security for the duration of the operation, which continued well after the strike.

The Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) is partnered with and mentors the PRC, which is a unit of the Afghan National Police.

SOTG operations in Northern Kandahar are conducted in support of Operation Hamkari, an Afghan Government-led initiative to improve the security in and around Kandahar City.

58 Australian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan this year, with 158 wounded since Australian operations in the country began.

ENDS

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