Aussie/ Afghan soldiers wounded in IED incidents

Three Australian soldiers and two Afghan soldiers wounded in IED incidents

Three Australian and two Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers have been wounded in three separate incidents in Afghanistan on the 27 March 2010.

Two of the Australian soldiers, who were patrolling in the Mirabad Valley region of Oruzgan Province, were wounded in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast.

The 1st Mentoring Task Force patrol was conducting a dismounted, partnered patrol with Afghan National Army troops at the time of the incidents.

Commander Joint Task Force 633 Major General John Cantwell said one soldier suffered minor blast and fragmentation wounds when the device detonated.

“The patrol reacted quickly to the blast, immediately securing the site, treating the wounded soldier and detaining two men suspected to have been involved in the placement and detonation of the Improvised Explosive Device,” Major General Cantwell said.

“Initial medical assessment identified superficial wounds but to ensure he had the best chance for a full recovery we decided to evacuate him from the site and let the surgeons have a look.”

The surgical assessment has confirmed the soldier’s wounds, although minor, will require a period of recovery.

Major General Cantwell said the soldier is likely to return to Australia in the coming days to fully recuperate from his wounds.

The condition of the second soldier was identified later while the patrol continued on its mission.

He has only superficial wounds and is likely to remain in Afghanistan following a short period of recovery.

A third Australian soldier suffered superficial wounds by an Improvised Explosive Device, while on a separate patrol in the same region.

After receiving treatment, the soldier completed his mission before returning to his patrol base.

He was later taken to Tarin Kowt as a precaution, where medical staff assessed his wounds.

The soldier also is likely to remain in Afghanistan after a short recovery.

In a third incident later that afternoon, two ANA soldiers were involved in an Improvised Explosive Device attack which occurred in the Chora region.

Both men were treated for superficial wounds, before continuing with their mission.

“I am proud of the guts and determination displayed by the soldiers in these patrols,” Major General Cantwell said.

“They looked after their mates then continued with their mission.”

The families of the soldiers have been contacted.

These casualties bring the number of Australians wounded in Afghanistan this year to 18. To date 118 personnel have been wounded since Operation SLIPPER began.

ENDS

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