Coalition soldier killed in Afghanistan fighting

Fighting in eastern Afghanistan left one US-led coalition soldier and seven suspected Taliban dead, the coalition said today.

The soldier, whose nationality was not disclosed, was killed yesterday during an action against militants in Pech district of eastern Kunar province, a coalition statement said.

The seven militants died yesterday in the Barmal district of Paktika province, in a clash with coalition soldiers, the statement said.

The firefight involved some 45 militants who attacked a coalition patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, the military said. One coalition soldier was slightly wounded in the clash.