Australian soldier wounded in Afghanistan

An Australian Special Forces soldier has been wounded during a mission conducted by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Uruzgan province,Afghanistan.

The soldier sustained a ricochet gunshot wound to the lower left leg when SOTG and ANSF elements came under small arms fire from insurgents on 31 July 2012.

Members of the force element immediately treated the soldier, who was later evacuated to a medical facility at Multi-National Base – Tarin Kot for further treatment.

Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power said the soldier has already been released after treatment.

“The wound was superficial and, after a thorough examination and treatment by medical personnel at Tarin Kot, the soldier has been released and will resume full duties in a few days,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“The soldier has been in contact with his family.”

Lieutenant General Power said the mission was another example of the increasing ability of the ANSF.

“The ANSF is taking the lead in these partnered operations and enhancing the Afghans' capability to successfully engage with the insurgents,” he said.

“This mission is another example of the growing capacity of the ANSF, which is a direct result of the mentoring relationship provided by SOTG.”

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