CANBERRA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expressed his sadness on Thursday at the death of another Australian soldier in Afghanistan.

    "I'm deeply saddened today to hear of the death of an Australian soldier this (Thursday) morning in Afghanistan. On behalf of the government, I wish to extend my condolences to the family of this soldier," Rudd told reporters in Canberra.

    "Our deepest sympathies are with this young man's family, his friends and his colleagues," Mr. Rudd said.

    His death brings the number of Australian casualties in Afghanistan to seven.

    Rudd called on Australians to hold the families of the dead and wounded soldiers in their thoughts and prayers.

    The Australian soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan during a push against Taliban insurgents early Thursday morning. Australian defense officials have contacted the man's family but won't release his name.