KABUL: Attacks by insurgents killed five foreign troops in Afghanistan on Monday, including two Americans, two French marines and a Hungarian soldier.
The attacks came in the north, south and east of the war-torn country, Nato officials said. France’s Defense Ministry said a lieutenant and corporal from the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment were killed in a gunbattle in the Bedraou Valley in the eastern province of Kapisa.
Three other French troops were wounded, it said. Monday’s deaths bring the number of French troops killed in the Afghan war to 47. The French contingent to the Nato-led international force numbers about 4,000.
No additional information was given about the American casualties. Hungary’s Defense Ministry said its soldier was killed after his convoy was hit by a blast and then strafed by gunfire from all sides.
The attack occurred 12 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of the town of Pul-e Khumri in the northern province of Baghlan.
Three other soldiers were wounded and the convoy managed to return to its base in the province, where Hungary administers development projects, it said.
The deaths bring the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan this month to 47, including 30 Americans, according to a count by The Associated Press.
They come amid a particularly bloody period for international troops, with 66 Americans killed in July, the deadliest month for the US in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion that overthrew the Taliban government.
Monday’s casualties follow the deaths Sunday of four US troops amid fierce fighting in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Combat has intensified around the country amid an increase in the number of foreign forces battling the stubborn Taliban insurgency to about 120,000, including more than 78,000 Americans.
Foreign troops are increasingly skirmishing in the vast south and mountainous east, where insurgents have long held sway.
Militants also are attacking coalition forces in parts of the north and west where they were not previously active.
Three other French troops were wounded, it said. Monday’s deaths bring the number of French troops killed in the Afghan war to 47. The French contingent to the Nato-led international force numbers about 4,000.
No additional information was given about the American casualties. Hungary’s Defense Ministry said its soldier was killed after his convoy was hit by a blast and then strafed by gunfire from all sides.
The attack occurred 12 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of the town of Pul-e Khumri in the northern province of Baghlan.
Three other soldiers were wounded and the convoy managed to return to its base in the province, where Hungary administers development projects, it said.
The deaths bring the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan this month to 47, including 30 Americans, according to a count by The Associated Press.
They come amid a particularly bloody period for international troops, with 66 Americans killed in July, the deadliest month for the US in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion that overthrew the Taliban government.
Monday’s casualties follow the deaths Sunday of four US troops amid fierce fighting in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Combat has intensified around the country amid an increase in the number of foreign forces battling the stubborn Taliban insurgency to about 120,000, including more than 78,000 Americans.
Foreign troops are increasingly skirmishing in the vast south and mountainous east, where insurgents have long held sway.
Militants also are attacking coalition forces in parts of the north and west where they were not previously active.
Source: AP
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