AUSTRALIAN special forces troops in Afghanistan have been involved in the heaviest fighting since the Vietnam War, with one battle claiming the lives of 150 Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters.According to a report in News Limited newspapers today, six Australian soldiers were wounded in the biggest firefight, which lasted nine days in July.
Eleven Australian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan during the year-long special forces campaign, several seriously.
The latest battles were part of Operation Perth, which involves search-and-destroy missions in the Chora district, about 40km northwest of the Australian base in Oruzgan province.
More than 100 Diggers from the Special Forces Task Group are believed to have used superior weapons and overwhelming airborne fire support from three US Air Force AC-130 Hercules Spectre gunships during the biggest battle. Australian long-range patrol vehicles used Javelin anti-armour missiles and heavy-calibre machine guns.
The task group includes a commando platoon of 50 men from the Sydney-based 4RAR and 40 SAS soldiers from the unit's No3 squadron.
A Defence Department official last night confirmed 11 members had been injured since September last year. The report said one SAS specialist was shot in the abdomen, a commando had part of his jaw blown off and another was shot in the buttocks.
In one battle, six commandos were wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, including the company sergeant major, who sustained leg injuries.
"Further details of the special forces task group will be revealed when they return home later this month," the spokeswoman told The Australian.
Several Diggers will be awarded gallantry medals for their actions during the campaign.