AN Australian Digger serving in East Timor has died from a gunshot wound, the department of defence has just reported.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, which occurred yesterday in a barracks in the capital Dili.
Australian Defence Force chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the solder was found dead yesterday afternoon.
"The soldier has died of a gunshot wound while in a barracks area," he said in a statement.
"The circumstances of the incident are still uncertain and will be formally investigated."
The exact circumstances of the soldier's death remain unclear.
A defence spokeswoman was unable to provide any further information.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said a full investigation would be conducted by staff of the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service.
A formal chief of defence force commission of inquiry will also be conducted.
"Any death of an ADF member is a tragic and sad loss for the entire ADF community," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
"The soldier's next of kin have been informed and our priority is to ensure the family is receiving the support and care they need."
The soldier was part of the International Stabilisation Force in East Timor.
There are about 850 ADF deployed in East Timor as part of the ISF, according to the defence website.
The defence force chief said arrangements for the soldier's repatriation were currently being considered.
The soldier is the third Australian serviceman to die on active service in recent weeks.
On October 8, Trooper David Pearce was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, while late last month Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment Sergeant Matthew Locke was shot dead by the Taliban, also in Afghanistan.
C-17 Globemaster III in May 2006.
An Australian soldier has been found dead with a gunshot wound in a barracks area in Dili in East Timor.

The soldier, working with the International Stabilisation Force in the turbulent country was found dead on the afternoon of November 5. The exact details of his death are still unknown but Air Chief Angus Houston said an inquiry will be launched as part of the investigation. 

"The soldier's next of kin have been informed and our priority is to ensure the family is receiving the support and care they need," Houston said.

About 850 Australian Defence Force soldiers have been deployed to East Timor as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), the military component of United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. The country was recognised as independent from Indonesia in 2002. 

Three Australian servicemen have died on active service in one month.