von An Australian soldier and an Afghan National Army colleague have been Wounded In Action in the Chorah Valley region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, in an incident that also claimed the life of a local interpreter supporting the operation.
The incident occurred approximately 4pm AEDT on Saturday 15 January. The Australian soldier, a member of Mentoring Task Force Two, was part of a dismounted partnered Afghan National Army and Australian patrol which struck an improvised explosive device.
After being aero medically evacuated to the ISAF medical facility at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot, the Australian soldier underwent surgery before being flown to the ISAF medical facility at Kandahar for further treatment.
Joint Task Force 633 Commander, Major General Angus Campbell, said although the soldier’s wounds are considered serious, he is now in a satisfactory condition and his next of kin has been notified.
“Our soldiers and their Afghan partners show great courage in facing the threat of improvised explosive devices on a daily basis,” Major General Campbell said.
“Sadly, an interpreter died as a result of injuries he suffered and an Afghan National Army soldier is also being treated for wounds.”
As operations are continuing the ADF will not release further details at this time.
Two Australian soldiers have been Wounded In Action in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2011. 166 soldiers have been Wounded In Action since Australia commenced operations in Afghanistan in 2001.
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia