Two Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Two Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
CANBERRA (Xinhua) — Two Australian soldiers reportedly have been killed in a wave of violence in Afghanistan, Australian Defense Force confirmed at a press conference held in Canberra on Tuesday.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that two Australian soldiers serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force of Afghanistan have been killed in action,” Acting defense force chief David Hurley told reporters in Canberra.
In what has been described as the deadliest day for coalition forces this year, Taliban insurgents ramped up bombings and attacks on North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces on Monday.
NATO announced that ten soldiers, seven of them Americans, had been killed in a string of attacks.
Hurley said there were no other Australian or Afghan casualties.
“However, an explosive detection dog also died in the incident, ” Hurley said.
An investigation will be held to determine the “exact details of incident”.
“I speak for the entire ADF (Australian Defense Force) and defense community when I tell you I am deeply saddened by the loss of these two brave Australian soldiers,” Hurley said.
The deaths were a reminder of the constant dangers faced by Australian troops in Afghanistan, Defense Minister John Faulkner said in a statement, which was read out by Defense Personnel Minister Greg Combet.
“The manner of their deaths from an insidious and indiscriminate improvised explosive device again shows the callous and truly despicable nature of our enemy,” Faulkner said.
It was a great loss to the nation and Senator Faulkner sent his sincere condolences to the families of both men.
State Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told state parliament she understood a Queensland soldier had died.
“It’s with great sadness this morning that we have learned in breaking news that two Australian diggers, including possibly a Queenslander, have been killed in Afghanistan,” Bligh said.
“As I said it is yet to be confirmed, but it is believed one of these soldiers was a Queenslander.
“Our hearts go out to the families of these two soldiers who have died in the war on terror and in the fight for peace.
“These two Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice and it’ s a very sad day for their families.”
The diggers were killed by a roadside bomb explosion in the Mirabad Valley.
One soldier was killed instantly. The second was given emergency first aid by his fellow soldiers and taken to a nearby hospital but later died.
The two Australian soldiers belonged to the Mentoring Task Force and are the first Australians to die in 11 months, bringing the total number of campaign deaths to 13, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2010-06-08 09:14:04
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