KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Eight Afghan soldiers were killed when a road-side bomb targeted their convoy in Afghanistan’s Chora Valley last Thursday, Australia’s Department of Defence said in a statement on Tuesday.

The incident happened when Afghan soldiers from the Australian-mentored 2nd Kandak were conducting a logistics task on a route between two bases operated by Afghan and Australian soldiers. There were no other casualties.

The bodies of those killed in the incident were air-transported to Tarin Kowt where an honor guard of Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force members formally paid respect to the fallen soldiers, the department said.

The Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Australian Major General Mark Kelly, extended his condolences to the Afghan National Army in a letter to the commander of the Afghan National Army 4th Brigade.

Lieutenant General Mark Evans, the Australian Chief of Joint Operations, said the loss of the soldiers is a “tragedy” for the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan people they protect.

“The Afghan soldiers working with the Australian mentors are demonstrating courage and tenacity and have been growing in confidence in their capacity to provide security for the local people in Oruzgan Province,” Evans said. “Neither this bombing nor others will deter our resolve to continue protecting the local people and providing a level of security for the community.”

The threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has increased dramatically in the past years, with most coalition soldiers being killed in such attacks.

“The Taliban continues to resort to tactics such as roadside bombs, which remain pervasive and indiscriminate, killing civilians and Afghan security forces alike, as well as targeting coalition operations,” Evans added.

Australia is mentoring the 2nd and 4th Kandaks of the 4th Brigade of the ANA.