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SASR in Afghanistan, 2002. Dept of Defence photo |
All too often they are not given the recognition that they so richly deserve.
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SASR in Afghanistan, 2002. Dept of Defence photo
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Posted on 09/26/2005 3:03:32 AM PDT by Dundee
Aussies kill 'dozens of Afghan fighters'
AUSTRALIAN special forces have killed dozens of al-Qa'ida and Taliban fighters in a series of fierce firefights in northeastern Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Robert Hill confirmed that the Australians, who were deployed last month to take on a resurgent Taliban in the troubled country, inflicted heavy casualties in the first serious fighting since arriving in the strife-torn country.
Senator Hill, in Afghanistan for talks with President Hamid Karzai and other senior officials, also pledged to provide training for Afghan forces.
He said there had been two big engagements. In one, a patrol of Afghan Army and Australian fighters had come under rocket fire on Monday last week.
In a more severe attack several days later, one Australian soldier was injured and an Afghan soldier killed when they encountered fighters armed with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
He said the injury to the Australian soldier was not serious and he had been able to return to duty.
"This was one of the first major exchanges of gunfire since the task group has been deployed, resulting in one Australian soldier being injured, but fortunately those injuries were not serious," he said.
The 190-strong special forces task group left Perth late last month for Afghanistan after John Howard ordered Australian forces back into the troubled country to help US and NATO forces suppress a Taliban resurgence and provide security for the elections earlier this month.
Australian patrols had earlier been providing support and protection to remote polling centres and security check points.
The Prime Minister has warned of the dangerous nature of the mission and the likelihood of casualties.
The taskforce is expected to stay in Afghanistan for at least 12 months.
Senator Hill also met Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Deputy Foreign Minister Zalmai Azis to discuss plans to provide training for Afghan soldiers and the deployment of a 200-strong provincial reconstruction team.
He said after the meeting that Australia was willing to get involved in helping train Afghan soldiers as well as expand aid.
"Reconstruction efforts have been expanding into the north, west and south of the country, providing a number of different options for Australia to consider," Senator Hill said.
"It was important to discuss with President Karzai and Minister Wardak the various options to find out where and Australian PRT would be most valuable."
Even the VC were smart enough to fear our SAS.
Great report. This is a very good days work.
ATTABOYS!
I have nothing but admiration and thanks for the support from Australia, particularly John Howard. The world may some day thank "3 white guys who spoke English" for standing fast and turning the tide at this moment in history.
I also think your 190-man taskforce is worth more than all the luke-warm support - money and lip-service - the WoT gets from some of our half-hearted 'allies'. That this comes in the teeth of stepped-up Islamo-fanatic demands and threats in your own country says a great deal about the Aussie national character.
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SASR in Afghanistan, 2002. Dept of Defence photo |
All too often they are not given the recognition that they so richly deserve.
|
SASR in Afghanistan, 2002. Dept of Defence photo
|
Good job! Keep it up! The best part of this is that it doesn't mention any prisoners.
Good on ya, mate.
HOORAY!!! for the Aussies! You go guys.
Good job Aussies!
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