Fed: Aust troops can handle Afghan security situation - ADF

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2006
Fed: Aust troops can handle Afghan security situation - ADF

CANBERRA, April 16 AAP - Australian troops are equipped and trained to deal with the
apparently worsening security situation in Afghanistan, the defence force says.

Coalition troops have been involved in a major operation against Taliban forces, with
a fierce gun battle leaving 41 rebels and six Afghan police officers dead in the southern
province of Kandahar.

Authorities in southern Afghanistan, where Australian troops are based, have complained
of a deteriorating security environment.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) said it could not confirm whether Australian special
forces troops based in the southern province of Oruzgan were involved in the latest operation,
but said they were equipped and trained to handle anything.

"Afghanistan remains a dangerous place but Australian forces are well prepared to operate
in the area," a defence spokesman said.

"The ADF will not comment on the security situation in specific areas."

The latest clash involved an intense battle yesterday after Afghan security forces
backed by coalition helicopters attacked a suspected Taliban hideout.

Provincial governor Asadullah Khalid said 41 militants were killed and several wounded,
while six police died and nine were wounded.

The US military said coalition forces provided Apache attack helicopters, which fired
rockets in support of Afghan forces on the ground.

It was some of the heaviest fighting reported during the recent upsurge of violence
that threatens Afghanistan's shaky democracy.

Coalition forces are now searching for Taliban fighters who escaped from the battle.

Australian Special Air Service Regiment troops have already exchanged fire with anti-government
forces in Oruzgan province and defence force chief Angus Houston warned in February of
a rising incidence of suicide bombings.

The SAS troops are part of a 300-member Australian special forces task group also in Oruzgan.

A 200-member Provincial Reconstruction Team, due to deploy in July, will take Australian
troop numbers in Afghanistan to 500.

They will also be based in Oruzgan, operating within a larger Dutch force of 1,400 troops.

But the reconstruction team, a combined force of engineers and infantry, will enjoy
substantial protection, with the Dutch contingent also including infantry as well as attack
helicopters and jet fighter-bombers.

Southern Afghanistan was the stronghold of the Taliban until late 2001, when their
government was ousted as a result of US-led attacks.

Since then, Taliban forces have targeted coalition and Afghan troops and have stepped
up attacks over the past year.

AAP rp/rj/nf

KEYWORD: AFGHAN AUST

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