CANBERRA - A young Afghan boy has been shot and is in a critical condition after a battle between Australian troops and insurgents, Australian Defense Force confirmed on Tuesday.

Related readings:  2,777 civilians killed in Afghanistan in 2010: UN  Gates says US still has role in Afghanistan  US defense chief pays surprise visit to Afghanistan  Troops capture militant leader in S Afghanistan

Australian soldiers were working alongside Afghan police when they were attacked with guns and rocket-propelled grenades, while patrolling in the Deh Rafshan area in Oruzgan province on Sunday.

According to the Department of Defense, one insurgent was killed in the battle and the local boy was later found with gunshot wounds to the upper body.

The boy was given immediate first aid before being airlifted to a medical facility at Tarin Kowt.

"He remains in a critical but stable condition, and has since been moved to intensive-care facilities in Kandahar," the Department of Defense said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The Department of Defense said an internal review of the incident had begun, adding that it does not know how the boy was wounded or who caused his injuries.