An Australian soldier was killed Friday during an attack on Taliban in Afghanistan, the country's defense chief said. It was Australia's third combat death in the conflict, all in the past two months. The death of Pvt. Luke Worsley, 26, came on the eve of federal elections in Australia, but was unlikely to influence voters since both major parties have expressed equal support for Australia's role in the conflict. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said Worsley was killed while participating in «a planned and deliberate attack by our forces against Taliban leaders and bomb makers» in Afghanistan's southern Uruzgan province. Associated Press quoted Houston as saying that a number of Taliban soldiers were killed and a «substantial» number were detained during the operation.
