Two Australian soldiers have been killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan.
This brings the total number of Australian soldiers to die in Afghanistan to 20. So far this year, nine Australians have died.
News of the latest deaths has come through as Australians head to the polls for the federal election.
The dead soldiers have been named as Private Grant Kirby, a 35-year-old father of two, and Private Thomas Dale, who was 21.
It was the first tour of duty in Afghanistan for both men.
Two other soldiers were wounded in the incident.
The Acting Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley, said the soldiers died at 10.30am Afghan time on Friday.
They were killed in action while standing near their Bushmaster vehicle when an explosive device was activated.
Lt Gen Hurley announced the deaths at a media conference in Canberra on Saturday morning.
The deaths bring the number of troops killed during the election campaign to three.
- AAP
Aussie soldiers killed in Afghanistan
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