Diggers injured in Afghan explosions

Two Australian soldiers in Afghanistan have been injured in separate incidents after
suspected Taliban insurgents detonated explosive devices.
An Australian and an Afghan soldier were injured on Saturday after insurgents
detonated an improvised explosive device during a security patrol near Tarin Kowt,
in southern Afghanistan, Defence said on Tuesday.
Two soldiers were killed in the incident.
The injured Australian, from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, and the
Afghan soldier were flown to an International Security Assistance Force base at
Tarin Kowt for medical treatment.
Both soldiers remain in a satisfactory condition, the Australian Defence Force said
in a statement.
Another Australian soldier was injured on Monday after his Operational Mentoring and
Liaison Team patrol struck a roadside bomb.
"The injured soldier will remain in theatre where he is receiving treatment for his
wounds and will return to active duty," Defence said in a statement.
Meanwhile, an Australian Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter operating in Afghanistan was
fired at on Monday morning.
Defence said the helicopter made a safe landing and there were no casualties.
Defence said the latest injuries of Australian soldiers showed how Taliban
insurgents were a threat to civilian and coalition troops.
Eleven soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since Australia joined the US-led
war in 2002.
Private Benjamin Ranaudo, a 22-year-old soldier from Victoria, was killed by a bomb
on July 18.