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KABUL, Afghanistan — Australian and other ISAF service members paid their respects to eight fallen Afghan soldiers. A road side bomb planted on a route between two bases in the Chora Valley, Oruzgan province, operated by Afghan and ISAF service members from Australia killed eight Afghan National Army troops on Jan. 7.
ANA soldiers from the ISAF mentored 2nd Kandak were conducting a logistics task when the incident happened. There were no other ISAF members involved in the explosion.
The bodies of the Afghan soldiers killed in the incident were air-transported to Tarin Kowt where an honour guard of Australian Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force members formally paid respects to their Afghan colleagues.
On behalf of the Australian Defence Force, the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Maj. Gen. Mark Kelly, extended sincere condolences to the ANA for the loss of these personnel in a letter to the Commander of the ANA's 4th Brigade.
Lt. Gen. Mark Evans, Chief of the Australian Joint Operations, said the loss of the soldiers is a tragedy for the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan people they protect.
"The Afghan soldiers working with the Australian mentors are demonstrating courage and tenacity and have been growing in confidence in their capacity to provide security for the local people in Oruzgan province. Neither this bombing nor others will deter our resolve to continue protecting the local people and providing a level of security for the community.
"The Taliban continues to resort to tactics such as roadside bombs, which remain pervasive and indiscriminate, killing civilians and Afghan security forces alike, as well as targeting coalition operations," Evans said.
The threat of improvised explosive devices has increased dramatically in the past two years.
Australia is mentoring the 2nd and 4th Kandaks of the 4th Brigade of the ANA.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2010 04:10 |
| Story ID: | 43803 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 341 |
| Downloads: | 336 |
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