Thirteen soldiers of Australian special forces are facing dismissal from service on charges of illegal killings of Afghans, Reuters reported citing a statement from the Australian chief of the army. 

These 13 soldiers that have been served notices are different from the previously reported 19 soldiers who were also accused of illegal killings of 39 Afghans. In both cases, the identities of the soldiers have not been disclosed. 

Lt General Rick Burr, the head of the Australian army, said 13 current soldiers have been issued with notices that could eventually lead to their termination. 

In a damning report last week, Australia acknowledged the illegal killings of 39 Afghans by its special forces in Afghanistan and later apologized for the actions. The inquiry conducted against the 19 soldiers found credible evidence of their crime and recommended prosecuting all 19 soldiers involved in the actions.

The Afghan government appreciated the efforts of the Australian government for the impartial inquiry in the incident but also demanded appropriate punishment for all the accused. 

Various human rights organizations and political leaders from Afghanistan asked NATO member countries whose troops had been deployed in the country to initiate similar inquiries into the conduct of their troops.