Aust loses 39th soldier in Afghanistan

22 Oct 2012, 4:27 pm   -   Source: AAP

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the mission in Afghanistan is on track but the loss of the 39th digger there shows the risks remain.

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Australia has lost a 39th soldier in Afghanistan with Prime Minister Julia Gillard warning that while the mission is on track there's no way of being there without risk.

Ms Gillard said all Australians would mourn the death of the as-yet unnamed 24-year-old special forces soldier, killed by an insurgent improvised explosive device (IED) late on Sunday Australian time.

Because the operation is continuing, defence has released few details of the incident.

The soldier's family has been notified but want no personal details released at this stage.

Ms Gillard said Australia had lost a brave soldier who was going about difficult and dangerous work.

"And his loss will be mourned by the whole nation," she told reporters in Canberra.

The soldier is the seventh digger to die in Afghanistan this year, the 39th Australian serviceman lost since 2002 and the 19th from the special forces.

Ms Gillard, who visited Afghanistan this month, said the troops were in good spirits and determined to see the mission through so that Afghan forces were able to take full responsibility for their own security.

"Our predictions of Oruzgan province is that there will still be active fighting needed against the insurgency," she said.

"We will though, still engage in special (forces) operations. And there is no way of being in Afghanistan that comes without risk."

Ms Gillard said it was likely there would be a continuing role for Australian special forces after the 2014 transition, with a decision on that not likely until next year.

Defence force chief David Hurley said the soldier was a member of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) participating in a disruption operation against an insurgent network on the border area of Oruzgan province.

"The soldier was clearing the compound when an IED detonated, killing him instantly," General Hurley told reporters in Canberra.

No other Australian or any Afghan soldiers were killed or injured.

The SOTG comprises members of the Special Air Service Regiment, Commando Regiments and Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

General Hurley said the soldier was highly qualified with operational experience.

"His commanding officer described him as an exceptional soldier who will be remembered as genuine, honest and dedicated," he said.

"His loss will be deeply felt by those who knew him."

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the transition to Afghan security responsibility remained on track and would be achieved in Oruzgan province over the next 12 to 15 months.

"But that is not to say that our job is not difficult and dangerous as these events overnight again reinforce," Mr Smith told reporters in Sydney.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the soldier had died undertaking the most difficult work and gave his life in the service of Australia.

"Like all who have served our country, and who serve our country in the Australian Defence Force, he sought to make the world a safer place. All Australians honour him," Mr Abbott said in a statement.

Greens leader Christine Milne also expressed condolences but repeated her party's call for Australia to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

"Thirty-nine Australian soldiers have now been killed while serving in Afghanistan and the Greens once again urge the government to bring our troops home as swiftly and safely as possible," Senator Milne said in a statement.

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