NATO soldier killed in Afghanistan

A roadside bomb explosion killed one Nato soldier and wounded another today in southern Afghanistan, a spokeswoman said.

Lt Col Maria Carl, a spokeswoman for Nato’s International Security Assistance Force, did not give any further details about the victims’ nationality or where the attack took place.

Earlier, the ISAF press office said there was an attack with some casualties in southern Zabul province, but it would not confirm if this was the same attack as the one Ms Carl mentioned.

The latest violence comes days after more than 1,000 Nato and Afghan troops retook Sangin district in Helmand province, the world’s biggest opium-producing region, Carl said.

The next step will be for Nato forces to handover control of the area to Afghan security forces, she said, adding that Nato has transported about 500 Afghan forces to the south.

The operation to retake the town from militants started late on Wednesday and is part of Nato’s largest ever offensive in Afghanistan.

About 4,500 NATO and 1,000 Afghan forces are in and around Helmand province as part of Operation Achilles.