Soldier Lost In Afghanistan
- October 9th, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
The death of an Australian soldier in a roadside attack has drawn attention to the change in Taliban tactics towards bombings and terrorist activity against civilians in towns.
The soldier’s armoured vehicle was part of a patrol driving back from a reconnaissance mission when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was detonated six kilometres away from the Australia base at Towin Kowt in Oruzgan province.
He was Trooper David Pearce, 41, from Brisbane; father of two children.
Another soldier was seriously hurt, though he was last reported to be recovering well in hospital before a return to duty.
The attack follows a chain of such incidents and in one of those two servicemen were wounded.
The troops have been providing protection for civil reconstruction work under the aegis of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
This year 181 ISAF force members have been killed.
The ISAF spokesperson Maj. Charles Anthony said: “Our respectful condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of this brave soldier…”
Officials of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) have documented an increase in bombings and suicide attacks by Taliban insurgents, following defeats inflicted on them by ISAF forces moving into insurgent areas.
One such engagement took place involving Australian troops late last month.
“Over the last few months Australian soldiers have been regularly tested by Taliban extremists …”, said Lt. Col. Harry Jarvie, Commanding Officer of the RTO (Reconstruction Task Force).
Brig. General Pavel Macko, Director Combined Joint Operations at ISAF Headquarters in Kabul last week (4.10.07) condemned the use of terrorist tactics.
“Our strategy is to give this country a chance for reconstruction … As opposed to our strategy, the strategy of insurgents is unrest and violence …”, he said.
The Australian vehicle disabled in this week’s attack has been taken to a workshop and an investigation has started to determine the kind of explosive device that was used and where it came from.
Research:
“Diggers defeat Taliban in heavy fighting”; Australian Government, Department of Defence, 27.9.07. www.defence.gov.au … (9.10.07)
“ISAF soldier killed in Southern Afghanistan”, NATO (Home), 8.10.07. www.nato.int/isaf …, (9.10.07)
Picture: Australians in Afghanistan; Lt. Cliff De Laine, centre (Dept. of Defence)