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TALIBAN ATTACK SUCCESSFULLY REPELLED BY
AUSTRALIAN RECONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE
Australian soldiers in Afghanistan have repelled a further attack by
Taliban extremists as reconstruction work continued at a site in Oruzgan
Province.
The security element at the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) site was
involved in a 90-minute engagement with extremists around midday
yesterday (Friday, 10 August).
Defence Spokesman, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the Australian security
element was attacked when rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were fired at
them in an alley.
“About five soldiers were attacked by Taliban extremists who used
small-arms and RPGs fired from multiple positions. An aggressive and
precise response by our soldiers repelled the Taliban attack,” Brigadier
Nikolic said.
“A nearby Australian Light Armoured Vehicle patrol was also attacked by
RPGs and returned fire with its weapons systems in support of the
soldiers. ”
“The fighting was reported as being close and intense and it was the
firepower, mobility and protection the soldiers had at their disposal
that again proved the difference in this contact.”
The RTF security element was reinforced by ISAF attack helicopters which
provided observation support as well as direct engagement of targets.
Brigadier Nikolic said the extremist attack was successfully repelled by
the RTF, with no Australian troops wounded, no RTF vehicles damaged and
no disruption to the engineer task being undertaken.
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.
A similar attack in the same area occurred on Wednesday (8 August).
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