ADF non-combat death in Afghanistan under investigation

AN INVESTIGATION is underway into the death of an Australian soldier who died from a gunshot wound in a “non-combat related incident” in Afghanistan.

File image. Picture: Australian Defence Force

AN INVESTIGATION is underway into the death of an Australian Special Forces soldier who died from a gunshot wound in a "non-combat related incident" in Afghanistan.

The "highly qualified" officer died at Australian Defence Force headquarters in Kabul sometime on Tuesday, but public details were scant on Wednesday.

Defence Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin confirmed the death did not "appear" combat related, and the ADF's Investigative Service was now examining the evidence.

He said the soldier's family had asked that no details be given out about the soldier, and he could not confirm his professional or personal history.

However, he confirmed a psychological support team would be deployed to Kabul to support some members of the soldier's unit.

Air Chief Marshal Binskin refused to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the soldier's death, asking that the investigation "take its course".

Originally published as ADF non-combat death in Afghanistan under investigation