Two coalition soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Suspected Taliban militants killed one US soldier and wounded two in southern Afghanistan, an official said today.

A US-led coalition soldier was also killed in eastern Afghanistan.

The American soldier was killed when a coalition combat logistics patrol on a resupply mission came under attack yesterday afternoon in the Sangin district of Helmand province, said Lt. Col. Chris Toner. Two other soldiers were wounded.

Assailants fired on the 10-vehicle convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, disabling three vehicles and forcing the US troops to spend the night where they were attacked, Toner said.

“That is a bad area. There is no doubt about that,” Toner added.

British forces air-dropped about 100 troops for back-up yesterday, and an American team was today sent to recover the three oversize vehicles damaged in the attack, he said.

The British responded first because they were closest, Toner said. “When there’s a fight, everybody wants to get in and help. The response is instantaneous.”

A second coalition soldier was killed while fighting enemy forces in eastern Kunar province yesterday, the US military said.

No details were released on the soldier’s nationality, but US troops have been fighting alongside Afghan forces against Taliban militants in the remote region bordering Pakistan.

Two US soldiers were also wounded in two further attacks in southern Zabul province yesterday, said coalition spokesman Maj. Quentin Innis.

One soldier has been treated and released while the other is receiving care for injuries that were not life-threatening, he said.

Attacks in southern Afghanistan have picked up as a newly resurgent Taliban battle coalition forces for control of the area. More than 500 people have been killed in recent weeks.