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Afghan in army uniform kills three Australian soldiers Five Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
(about 2 hours later)
Three Australian soldiers have been killed by a man in an Afghan army uniform, the latest in a series of so-called "green-on-blue" attacks. Five Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in two separate incidents, defence officials say.
The attack took place at a base in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan. Three soldiers were killed by a man in Afghan army uniform in Uruzgan province on Wednesday, the latest in a series of so-called "green-on-blue" attacks.
Acting Defence Minister Warren Snowdon said two other Australian soldiers were hurt in the attack, which happened late on Wednesday. In a separate incident, two others were killed in a helicopter crash in Helmand province on Thursday.
Some 45 coalition troops have died in more than 30 such attacks this year. PM Julia Gillard said that "in a war of so many losses this is our single worst day in Afghanistan".
"The incident is currently under investigation," said an International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) statement. Acting defence force chief Mark Binskin said the families of the soldiers had been notified.
Nato is training Afghan troops ahead of its pullout by the end of next year. "Australia has lost five men today. They are soldiers who were committed to serving our nation," Air Marshall Binskin told a press conference in Canberra.
The Taliban has been actively recruiting members of the Afghan security forces, publicly announcing that insider attacks were a central part of their strategy against Nato forces. The green-on-blue incident is currently under investigation, said an International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) statement. A search was currently underway for the man, who fled the scene.
Air Marshall Binskin said the man opened fire at close quarters, injuring two other soldiers in addition to the three who died.
The two other Australian soldiers who died were special forces personnel. They were killed when an Isaf helicopter crashed while attempting to land in Helmand, he said.
"There is no indication of any reaction causing that crash," he said.
'Vetting process''Vetting process'
About 1,500 Australian soldiers are based in Uruzgan province as part of the Nato's Isaf troops. About 1,500 Australian soldiers are based in Uruzgan province as part of the Nato's Isaf troops. Nato is training Afghan troops ahead of its pullout by the end of next year.
"Three Australian solders have been killed as a result of a green-on-blue incident and two have been injured," Mr Snowdon said. The term green-on-blue comes from the colour-coding systems used by the US military.
The term "green-on-blue" comes from the colour-coding systems used by the US military.
Currently, approximately 130,000 (blue) Nato troops are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan alongside 350,000 (green) Afghans.Currently, approximately 130,000 (blue) Nato troops are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan alongside 350,000 (green) Afghans.
Most of the victims of the attacks have been American. Some 45 coalition troops have died in more than 30 green-on-blue attacks this year. Most of the victims of the green-on-blue attacks have been American.
The Taliban has been actively recruiting members of the Afghan security forces, publicly announcing that insider attacks were a central part of their strategy against Nato forces.
This month the most senior US military officer, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Afghanistan to discuss the rising number of attacks.This month the most senior US military officer, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Afghanistan to discuss the rising number of attacks.
He said: "We have an eight-step vetting process that's been in place in earnest for about a year, but we haven't turned the corner on the trend."He said: "We have an eight-step vetting process that's been in place in earnest for about a year, but we haven't turned the corner on the trend."
However, UN figures released this month did show that civilian casualties had fallen for the first time in eight years.However, UN figures released this month did show that civilian casualties had fallen for the first time in eight years.
Those killed or injured fell by 15% in the first half of 2012 compared with the same period last year, the figures showed.Those killed or injured fell by 15% in the first half of 2012 compared with the same period last year, the figures showed.