CANBERRA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- An Australian soldier was killed Friday in Afghanistan by Taliban, Australian Defense Force said.

    He is the third Australian soldier to die in Afghanistan since last month.

    "Private Luke Worsley, 26 years of age from Sydney, was killed by small arms fire at about 7:30 this morning Canberra time (2030 GMT Thursday) while participating in a planned and deliberate attack by our forces against Taliban leaders and their supporters in Oruzgan Province," defense said in a statement.

    Defense is providing assistance to the family and will continue to support them through this very difficult time, the statement said.

    "This is a tragic day for the Australian Defense Force and most especially for Private Worsley's family and friends. I extend my deepest sympathies to them on behalf of all members of the Defense Organization," Australia's Chief of Defense Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.

    Australia has about 970 military personnel in Afghanistan, including infantry and special forces as well as a Royal Australian Air Force air traffic control group based at Kandahar.