CANBERRA - A 22-year-old soldier has become the 11th Australian to be killed in Afghanistan but the federal Government says it's "rock solid" in its commitment to the war, even as the danger intensifies.
The digger, a member of the Force Protection Combat Team, was killed and another seriously wounded when a bomb went off while they were on foot patrol at a "compound of interest" in the Baluchi Valley.
Three Afghan civilians, including an 8-year-old child, were also injured.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid tribute to a "fine Australian soldier", whose death was a reminder of why the nation was continuing the fight against terrorism.
Rudd said it was important to remember Afghanistan had long been a training ground for terrorists worldwide.
The unnamed soldier had been in the military just over three years and had previously served in East Timor.
He is the 11th Australian digger to be killed in Afghanistan since the war began and the fourth this year.
- AAP
Digger, 22, killed by afghan bomb
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
