DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 243/09
Tuesday, 04 August 2009
AUSTRALIAN AND AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY SOLDIERS
WOUNDED IN IED ATTACKS
Australian and Afghan troops have been the target of several Improvised Explosive
Device (IED) attacks in southern Afghanistan over the last few days.
During a security patrol north of Tarin Kowt on Saturday 1 August, a combined
Australian and Afghan National Army force suffered two casualties when an IED
detonated close to the dismounted team.
Members of the patrol secured the area and provided first aid to the soldiers.
An Australian and an Afghan soldier were aero-medically evacuated to the ISAF
medical facility at Tarin Kowt and are undergoing treatment. Both soldiers remain in
a satisfactory condition. The Australian Defence Force has notified the MRTF-2
soldier’s family.
While the site was being secured and an Explosive Ordnance Investigation team was
being called forward, the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) patrol
discovered a secondary, unexploded device. The area was cordoned off while
Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists were called to respond to the device and
render it safe.
In a separate incident over the weekend, another OMLT patrol was struck with what
was believed to be a road-side bomb. There were no injuries reported from the IED
strike.
On Monday 03 August 2009, an OMLT patrol struck what is believed to be an IED
which resulted in minor injuries sustained by an Australian soldier. The injured
soldier will remain in theatre where he is receiving treatment for his wounds and will
return to active duty. The soldier’s family has been notified.
These incidents highlight the ongoing threat that IEDs pose to civilians and coalition
troops as the Taliban continue to conduct operations using indiscriminate weapons.
Media Contacts:
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
