19th July 09
An Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan by an explosive device.
A second Australian digger was seriously wounded in the explosion, along with three Afghan civilians, including an eight year-old boy, defence says.
The incident took place during an operation "against a compound of interest" in the Baluchi Valley, Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston told a press conference in Canberra on Sunday morning.
The soldier was on his first deployment to Afghanistan but had previously served in East Timor.
Air Chief Marshal Houston described him as a "brave and dedicated" soldier who was "operationally experienced and highly skilled".
"He died ensuring that terrorist groups do not have Afghanistan as a base from which they can plan and mount attacks."
The wounded soldier had undergone surgery for "life-threatening wounds" and was now in a stable condition.
Thoughts are with his family.
Stand at ease mate.
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