DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 045/09
Friday, 13 February 2009
INCIDENT IN AFGHANISTAN
In the early hours of Thursday morning, 12 February 2009, soldiers of the Special
Operations Task Group (SOTG) conducted clearance operations through a number of
compounds of interest in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
During the conduct of this operation the soldiers were fired upon by Taliban
insurgents. The SOTG engaged the insurgents, returning fire in accordance with their
rules of engagement.
No Australians were injured in the engagement, but a number of people have been
killed and wounded during this incident. Current reporting indicates that those killed
include a suspected insurgent and, sadly, local nationals including five children killed,
and two children and two adults injured.
The injured have been treated on site and evacuated to medical facilities for further
assessment and treatment if required.
The Australian Defence Force has commenced an investigation into this incident.
Defence is obviously concerned about any loss of life. It is for this reason that
Australian forces operate under strict Rules of Engagement that aim to avoid and
minimise civilian casualties.
Australian Special Forces soldiers are continuing to conduct operations within
unspecified areas in southern Afghanistan.
Defence will not provide further information on this incident at this stage, as
operations are ongoing and release of additional information could jeopardise the
safety of those who remain in the field.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
