AN Australian soldier was killed and one injured as an improvised explosive device was detonated in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, officials from the ADF confirmed in a statement late last night.
THE digger killed in Afghanistan yesterday was Brisbane father-of-two David Pearce.
Trooper Pearce, 41, was killed when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle in Afghanistan.
The former Army Reservist who joined the regular army in 2006 leaves behind his wife of 18 years and two daughters aged 11 and six .
Defence chieff Angus Houston said today his body would be returned home under constant escort.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the soldiers had been protecting engineers undertaking reconstruction work in the province.
"This incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers Australian Defence Force personnel face serving our nation," he said.
"It highlights that Afghanistan remains a very dangerous place and that Taliban extremists see the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) efforts as a direct threat to their continued existence."
Families told
The families of both soldiers had been informed late last night and were being provided assistance by the army, he said.
"This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these two soldiers."
He said the wounded soldier's injuries were not life-threatening.
"He is likely to make a full recovery and return to work in the near future," he said.
Victim was driver
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the deceased soldier had been driving the armed vehicle when the roadside bomb exploded.
It was not clear what had triggered the device.
"It was an improvised explosive device and how it was triggered we've yet to confirm," he said.
25 bomb attacks
Air Chief Marshal Houston said there had been 25 improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces over the past four months.
"The threat in Afghanistan is very high, and very high means we expect casualties," he said.
Last month, three Australians were wounded during a firefight with Taliban forces near Tarin Kowt, in Oruzgan province.
In August, two Australian troops were injured in a shootout with enemy militants, and in June, an Australian survived a car bomb attack that killed a Dutch soldier and six civilians.
The dead soldier is the first serving Australian to be killed in direct enemy action in the post 9/11 war against terror – a tragedy that could have political implications ahead of the looming federal election.
Taliban fighters have stepped up their activity against the Australians in recent weeks and many observers believed it was only a matter of time before a Digger made the ultimate sacrifice.
Australia's only other military death in Iraq or Afghanistan was that of ex-RAAF officer Paul Pardoel, who was serving with the British air force when his RAF Hercules transport aircraft was shot down by insurgents near Baghdad in January 2005.
Earlier today the mother-in-law of a soldier who witnessed the attack said the Diggers had seen the Taliban as they made their way .
"They spotted the Taliban on the hill, but they couldn't do anything because there were too many civilians. They couldn't fire back," the woman, identified only as Michelle, told Southern Cross Radio.
Trooper Pearce, 41, was killed when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle in Afghanistan.
The former Army Reservist who joined the regular army in 2006 leaves behind his wife of 18 years and two daughters aged 11 and six .
Defence chieff Angus Houston said today his body would be returned home under constant escort.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the soldiers had been protecting engineers undertaking reconstruction work in the province.
"This incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers Australian Defence Force personnel face serving our nation," he said.
"It highlights that Afghanistan remains a very dangerous place and that Taliban extremists see the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) efforts as a direct threat to their continued existence."
Families told
The families of both soldiers had been informed late last night and were being provided assistance by the army, he said.
"This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these two soldiers."
He said the wounded soldier's injuries were not life-threatening.
"He is likely to make a full recovery and return to work in the near future," he said.
Victim was driver
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the deceased soldier had been driving the armed vehicle when the roadside bomb exploded.
It was not clear what had triggered the device.
"It was an improvised explosive device and how it was triggered we've yet to confirm," he said.
25 bomb attacks
Air Chief Marshal Houston said there had been 25 improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces over the past four months.
"The threat in Afghanistan is very high, and very high means we expect casualties," he said.
Last month, three Australians were wounded during a firefight with Taliban forces near Tarin Kowt, in Oruzgan province.
In August, two Australian troops were injured in a shootout with enemy militants, and in June, an Australian survived a car bomb attack that killed a Dutch soldier and six civilians.
The dead soldier is the first serving Australian to be killed in direct enemy action in the post 9/11 war against terror – a tragedy that could have political implications ahead of the looming federal election.
Taliban fighters have stepped up their activity against the Australians in recent weeks and many observers believed it was only a matter of time before a Digger made the ultimate sacrifice.
Australia's only other military death in Iraq or Afghanistan was that of ex-RAAF officer Paul Pardoel, who was serving with the British air force when his RAF Hercules transport aircraft was shot down by insurgents near Baghdad in January 2005.
Earlier today the mother-in-law of a soldier who witnessed the attack said the Diggers had seen the Taliban as they made their way .
"They spotted the Taliban on the hill, but they couldn't do anything because there were too many civilians. They couldn't fire back," the woman, identified only as Michelle, told Southern Cross Radio.
Prime Minister John Howard today paid tribute to the fallen soldier.
"It's a reminder to all of us that the men and women of the ADF who go overseas in our name put their lives on the line to preserve our way of life," Mr Howard said.
"We send our love and sympathy to (the dead soldier's) family, we know it is a time of great grief for them and we offer our prayers and our support to them and to the other loved ones of this soldier".
Labor Leader Kevin Rudd said Australians were united in their support for the men and women in the defence forces fighting overseas.
"I join with the Prime Minister in expressing the grief of the Australian nation over the loss of this soldier's life in Afghanistan in service of his country," he said.
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