SOTG soldiers wounded in contact with Taliban extremists

SOTG SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN CONTACT WITH TALIBAN EXTREMISTS

Monday, 6 August 2007

An Australian Special Forces soldier has been evacuated from Afghanistan to a Coalition medical facility for further treatment after being wounded in a contact with Taliban extremists.

The soldier was wounded earlier this month during a patrol in Oruzgan Province.

Defence spokesperson Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the soldier was provided immediate first-aid by his fellow patrol members before being evacuated to a nearby medical facility for further treatment.

“Medical staff assessed that his wound required further treatment and the soldier was transported to a Coalition medical facility in Europe,” Brigadier Nikolic said.

“He is in a stable condition and responding very well to treatment – we expect him to return to Australia in the near future.”

In the same incident another Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) soldier received superficial wounds, which were treated at the scene. He remains fit for duty.

Both soldiers’ families have been informed of the incident.

The soldiers will not be identified and no additional detail will be provided in relation to their wounds, follow-on medical management, or the conduct of SOTG operations.