RTF Soldiers Repel Taliban Extremist Attack

RTF Soldiers Repel 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

ENDS

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