Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said here on Monday the death of Lance Corporal Jason Marks, in a firefight with the Taliban represented a sad day for the nation and a tragic day for his family.
"Lance Corporal Marks was a highly-trained and professional soldier, was an inspiration to others," Rudd told reporters in Canberra.
"My deepest sympathies and those of my family and those of the nation go to Lance Corporal Marks' family and friends and his colleagues," he said.
Lance Corporal Marks, a married father of two, was killed while fighting the Talibans. He was the fifth Australian soldier to die in the central Asian nation since 2002. Four other Australian commandos serving in the Afghanistan were wounded in the same incident.
Rudd also warned that Australian forces could face more casualties in Afghanistan, after the death of an Australian soldier overnight.
"The security situation in Afghanistan remains grim," he said, adding "this is a difficult and remains a difficult and dangerous operating environment for the ADF (Australian Defense Force), most particularly in Oruzgan province. It is likely to become more difficult in the period ahead.
Rudd said the government and the Australian Defense Force would continue to provide support and assistance to the soldier's family.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article