Australian troops head to Solomons after sniper murder

Adam Dunning

CANBERRA - Australian troops head to the Solomon Islands today to bolster peacekeeping forces following the sniper murder of a young Canberra man.

Australian Protective Service (APS) officer Adam Dunning, 26, died when he was shot in the back during an attack early yesterday in the capital, Honiara.

The government immediately authorised the redeployment of an Australian Defence Force rapid response unit from Townsville.

An infantry company of 100 soldiers from the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment will begin leaving around noon for the Solomons.

Mr Dunning died when two of six bullets fired from a military self loading rifle hit him as he and a fellow officer were on routine patrol in their unarmoured Toyota Land Cruiser.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty and Justice Minister Chris Ellison, with opposition defence spokesman Robert McClelland, flew to the Solomons last night.

Mr Keelty said the attack appeared to be the work of a sniper deliberately targeting police involved in the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

RAMSI officers arrived in the country in July last year to restore law and order after five years of unrest which drove the nation to the brink of collapse.

The Australian troops will boost RAMSI which now consists of around 150 Australian police and under 100 soldiers from a peak of 2000 soldiers and police.

Prime Minister John Howard expressed his sorrow at Mr Dunning's death, declaring the mission would continue undeterred.

"I would like, on behalf of all Australians, to express my sorrow and sadness to his parents and other members of his family," Mr Howard said.

"These tragic happenings won't (alter) in any way the goals and objectives of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands."

Solomons Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza said his government and people condemned the murder in the strongest terms.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police have reportedly set up a hotline to take confidential information as part of a massive operation to try to catch the killer.

- AAP