Australians unaware of near 'terror misses', says Rudd

Melbourne, Oct.21 (ANI): Australians are unaware of the many "near misses" from terrorist attacks, and a premature withdrawal from Afghanistan will only increase the threat, the country's Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, has warned.

The former prime minister today said Australia would stay the course in the conflict, as a parliamentary debate on the war resumed.

"Of course, there have been many near misses. In fact, many more than the general public is ever likely to know. The problem is the success of effective counter-terrorism strategy is much harder to recognise than its failure," news.com.au quoted Rudd, as saying.

Australian forces first entered Afghanistan in 2001 following the September 11 attacks, and redeployed in September 2005. The conflict has cost the lives of 21 soldiers with another 152 wounded. (ANI)