Aussie soldier dies in Afghanistan

The ADF has confirmed there has been an incident involving Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

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AN Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan overnight, Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.

The soldier, whose name is being withheld at his family's request, was killed in action during an intense fire fight with Taliban insurgents, Air Chie Marshal Angus Houston told reporters on Wednesday.

The soldier was part of a dismounted patrol in the 'green zone' when it was fired upon by a number of insurgents.

"Although immediate first aid was provided, the soldier was unable to be saved," the head of defence force said.

The soldier was on his fourth operational deployment and his second tour of Afghanistan.

"He was very popular with his platoon and displayed good humour even in times of stress," Air Chief Marshal Houston said."

This was a soldier devoted to duty, his mates, and the Australian army values of courage, initiative and teamwork."

He was the 21st Australian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2001, Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

The incident comes after Brisbane-based privates Grant Kirby and Tomas Dale died when an explosive hit their Bushmaster vehicle in Oruzgan Province on Friday.