Aussies fight off Taliban

Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers in southern Afghanistan have fought off a number of Taliban attacks on a new construction project over the last few days of February, 2008.

The attacks occurred approximately 15km from Tarin Kowt, where RTF engineers are helping to construct a patrol base for the Afghan National Army.

The extremists used small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades from different positions to attack the site. The Australian troops responded swiftly with ASLAV vehicles, mortars and follow-up patrolling.

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"The immediate and aggressive response by RTF soldiers caused the enemy to break off their attack and abandon their weapons in hastily prepared caches," said Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force.

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"These were recovered through aggressive follow-up patrolling, which was sustained for a number of days.

"Importantly, the effectiveness of RTF force protection measures caused the Taliban to launch their attacks from the extreme range of their weapons systems in low-light conditions, which degraded their ability to target Australian troops.

"Our troops in Oruzgan Province are performing magnificently in difficult and demanding operational conditions ... Australians can be justifiably proud of the professionalism of Australian troops and their ability to respond quickly and aggressively when attacked," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.--Courtesy ADoD

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