Kabul, July 04: A blast in eastern Afghanistan killed
two American troops and wounded four others on Saturday, a US
military spokeswoman said.
The troops were attacked in eastern Paktika province, but
there were no immediate details about the incident, said Lt
Cmdr Christine Sidenstricker.
The deaths come as thousands of Marines in southern
Afghanistan are involved in the biggest US military operation
here since the American-led invasion of 2001, trying to cut
insurgent supply lines and win over local elders.
US troops continued looking for an American soldier
believed captured by insurgents in Paktika province, Navy
Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo said yesterday. The soldier
and three Afghans with him went missing on Tuesday.
There was no immediate public claim of responsibility
from any insurgent group.
The Taliban, who have made a violent comeback following
their initial defeat in the 2001 US invasion, have stepped up
attacks in former strongholds of eastern and southern
Afghanistan.
Responding to a deteriorating security situation,
President Barack Obama's administration has ordered 21,000
additional troops to Afghanistan and expects the total number
of US forces there to reach 68,000 by year's end.
That is double the number of troops in Afghanistan in
2008 but still half as many as are now in Iraq.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, July 04, 2009, 13:21