Aussie soldier confirmed dead in Afghanistan
The Australian Defence Force has confirmed that an Australian soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
It is the first time an Australian soldier has been killed in combat while serving in either Afghanistan or Iraq.
One other Australian soldier and three children were wounded when an improvised explosive device went off as a NATO convoy passed by in the southern province of Oruzgan.
The Defence Department has issued a statement saying the families of the two Australian soldiers have been informed, but personal details will not be released yet.
Defence says the wounded soldier was given first aid and evacuated to a nearby medical facility by an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter.
"He is undergoing further treatment. His wounds are serious but are not considered life-threatening," the statement said.
"Defence is providing assistance to the families of the two soldiers and will continue to support them through this very difficult time."
The head of the ADF, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, is expected to provide further details at a media conference at 6:00am.
The last time an Australian soldier died in action in the Middle East was when SAS Sergeant Andrew Russell was killed by an anti-vehicle mine in Afghanistan in 2002.
Attacks on the rise
Taliban attacks on international forces in the region have been increasing, and the Australian Government has been warning about possible casualties.
Last month, two Special Forces soldiers serving in the area were wounded when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, and three troops were wounded in a fire fight with militants.
Almost 1,000 Australian soldiers are based at Camp Holland in Oruzgan province, near the town of Tarin Kowt.
They are working in partnership with Dutch troops, providing security and helping with reconstruction in communities affected by decades of civil war.
Taliban militias occupy large areas of the province and have been involved in heavy clashes with Australian forces in recent weeks.
The soldier's death takes to 181 the number of international troops to die in Afghanistan this year, most of them in hostile action.
There are 39,500 soldiers with ISAF and about 15,000 with a separate US-led coalition that helped to topple the Taliban from government in late 2001.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...09/2054188.htm