Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:0AM GMT
Australian soldiers in Afghanistan
An Australian solider has been killed in a roadside bomb attack while on patrol in Afghanistan's southern province of Uruzgan, defense officials say.
Australian Defense Force chief Lieutenant General David Hurley said the soldier lost his life by an improvised explosive device (IED) as he was patrolling in the area along with members of Afghan national army, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
Another coalition soldier was also seriously injured in the blast, Hurley said.
The recent killing brings to 29 the number of Australians who have lost their lives in the conflict in Afghanistan since 2001, including eight killed this year.
Australia has around 1,500 personnel in war-torn Afghanistan, mostly in Uruzgan province.
Violence in Afghanistan has escalated to record highs since the US-led invasion of the Asian country began in October 2001.
Roadside bombs or IEDs are by far the most lethal weapon used by Taliban militants against foreign and Afghan troops as well as innocent civilians.
NATO has acknowledged the growing power of militants in Afghanistan despite the presence of nearly 150,000 US-led forces in the war-ravaged country.
AO/MGH/HRF
Posted in: NEWS
