US soldier killed in Afghanistan

A US special forces solider was killed in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan yesterday during a battle with fighters believed to be linked to al-Qaida and the deposed Taliban regime.

The 38-year-old was killed yesterday afternoon when his unit came under heavy fire, US officials said.

An Afghan fighting with the US forces was also injured in the battle, while at least one of the suspected al-Qaida or Taliban fighters was also killed.

A spokesman said the battle started when the fighters opened fire on US forces in a mountainous area called Shkin at around 5pm local time yesterday.

Small teams of US special forces and other Western soldiers are currently conducting search-and-destroy missions against suspected al-Qaida and Taliban forces in eastern Afghanistan.

Hundreds of fighters are believed to be hiding in the mountains since the Taliban was deposed by the US-backed Northern Alliance last November.