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Australian killed in Afghan blast Australian killed in Afghan blast
(20 minutes later)
An Australian soldier has become the first to die in combat in Afghanistan, after being killed by a roadside bomb. An Australian soldier has become the first to die in direct combat in Afghanistan, after being killed in a roadside bomb attack.
An improvised explosive device detonated near the troops' vehicle in central Uruzgan province, the defence department said in a statement. An improvised explosive device detonated near the soldier's vehicle in central Uruzgan province, the defence department in Canberra said.
Another soldier was seriously wounded. The government has not yet released the names of the casualties. Another soldier was seriously wounded. The Australian government has not yet released the names of the casualties.
Australia committed troops to Afghanistan in late 2001, as US-led forces ousted the Taleban. Australia sent troops to join US-led forces in Afghanistan in late 2001.
"This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers involved," the defence department said."This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers involved," the defence department said.
In February 2002, an Australian special forces soldier died after his vehicle hit a landmine in southern Afghanistan - but the latest death was the first from a direct attack.