FED: 'Unlucky' digger dies in Afghanistan as fighting intensifies
By Julian Drape05 Jan 2009 2:57 PM
Subject: FED: 'Unlucky' digger dies in Afghanistan as fighting intensifies FED: 'Unlucky' digger dies in Afghanistan as fighting intensifies
CANBERRA, Jan 5 AAP - Australia's luck ran out when a soldier was killed in Afghanistan by indirect rocket fire, defence force chief Angus Houston says.
The soldier died instantly when a rocket struck a compound in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan on Sunday night Australian time.
The experienced Australian soldier is the eighth to be killed in Afghanistan since 2002, but the first to die as a result of indirect fire.
The conflict is now more intense than ever before, the defence chief says.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who visited Afghanistan before Christmas, argues the latest death proves the country is a "difficult, dangerous and bloody place".
But he says Australia won't reconsider its deployment of troops fighting "terrorism and al-Qaeda".
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the 107mm rockets used by Taliban insurgents were fairly inaccurate.
During the past five years, a number of Australians had been wounded as a result of indirect fire, but none killed, he said.
"But I regret that on this occasion our luck ran out and we had a rocket that sustained a direct hit in very close proximity to this brave soldier.
"The soldier was killed instantly when a rocket exploded in the compound."
Several rockets were fired towards the compound but only one hit the target.
No other Australian was wounded.
The defence chief wouldn't reveal the soldier's name or rank, but said he'd served previously in East Timor.
The soldier had been in Afghanistan for several weeks and was a third of the way through his deployment.
"Sadly, sometimes we lose those who are among our finest and most courageous," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
The soldier's family has been informed of his death.
"I want to convey that I am terribly sorry at their loss," the defence chief said.
"I want them to know that they are in the thoughts and prayers of the nation."
Mr Rudd says there is no higher calling for an Australian than wearing the uniform.
"On a difficult and tragic day such as today, we are reminded of the cost of wearing that uniform - and that is to ultimately surrender your life for your country," he said.
The fight in Afghanistan was crucial to defeat terrorism and al-Qaeda but Australia won't be boosting its troop commitment.
"The government believes that our current troop disposition in Afghanistan is about right."
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says the soldier died "bravely defending the values of liberty and democracy on which our nation was founded".
Heading into the northern winter, usually a less dangerous time, Australian troops can expect more tough times ahead.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the fighting in Afghanistan during autumn had been "more intense" than previous years.
"And I guess if we have a relatively mild winter the tempo of operations will continue at a higher level than we've seen in the past."
While the situation in Afghanistan remained "very dangerous", the defence chief said the latest death would not deter Australian forces from carrying out their work.
An Australian serving with British defence forces, Stuart Nash, was killed in Afghanistan last month during a gun battle.
In November, Michael Fussell became the seventh digger, and first officer, to die fighting the Taliban.
AAP jcd/rl/jj/jlw=0A
FED: 'Unlucky' digger dies in Afghanistan as fighting intensifies