Four US marines die in Afghan bomb blasts as offensive continues

BOMB blasts killed four US marines in southern Afghanistan, where thousands of American troops have deployed in recent weeks as part of an offensive in the country’s dangerous drug-producing region, an official said yesterday.

The four marines died on Saturday in Helmand province, where about 4,000 troops this month launched the largest marine operation in Afghanistan since 2001. US forces have met little resistance but face the danger of roadside bombs everywhere they travel.

A fifth US service member wounded in June died of wounds in the US on Friday, said Lt Cmdr Christine Sidenstricker, who confirmed the deaths of the four marines.