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RTF SOLDIERS DEFEAT TALIBAN EXTREMIST
ATTACK
Australian soldiers providing security to a Reconstruction Task Force
work site in Oruzgan Province defeated a coordinated small-arms and
rocket-propelled grenade attack by extremists on Wednesday 8th August,
2007.
The incident, which occurred over about two hours, involved several
distinct engagements within the same general vicinity.
Defence Spokesperson, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said troops involved in
the initial incident quickly responded to the extremist fire with
personal and vehicle-mounted weapon systems.
“A nearby ASLAV patrol moved to reinforce the security element and was
engaged by a volley of rocket propelled grenades from an adjoining
extremist position,” Brigadier Nikolic said.
“ISAF attack helicopters also moved to support the Australian security
element providing accurate fire support and increased situational
awareness for the troops on the ground.”
Brigadier Nikolic said the extremist attack was unsuccessful with no
Australian troops wounded, no RTF vehicles damaged and no disruption to
the engineer task.
“The RTF security element successfully defended the engineers,
preventing extremists from directly attacking the work site.”
Brigadier Nikolic said the incident again highlighted the good
coordination between Australian and ISAF elements, as well as the strong
security presence the RTF maintains whilst assisting the local
population.
Australian soldiers identified several indicators of potential change to
the local security situation about 30 minutes before the fighting
commenced.
“The situational awareness of the Australian soldiers — their ability to
read the signs in a complex environment — heightened the attentiveness
of the patrol and significantly blunted the impact of the extremist
attack.”
The Taliban extremist force is known to have suffered causalities during
the engagement. The ADF does not routinely release the specific details
of casualties suffered by its adversaries.
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