3 NATO service members killed in Afghanistan's restive south

3 NATO service members killed in Afghanistan's restive south

Three NATO service members were killed on Wednesday in two separate blasts in restive Afghanistan' s southern region, the military alliance confirmed here.

"Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in southern Afghanistan today," the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

Another ISAF service member was killed in a similar incident also in the southern part of the country earlier Wednesday, according to a separate ISAF statement.

The brief statements did not provide details on the incidents and the nationality of the victims under ISAF policy, only saying "It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities."

Troops mainly from the U.S., Britain, Canada and Australia have been stationed in the southern region, which is branded as Taliban hotbed, within the framework of the ISAF to fight Taliban militants there.

Over 520 foreign soldiers, most of them Americans, have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year.

Wednesday's attacks on ISAF forces happened as the Afghan government opened a traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly of tribal elders, lawmakers and government functionaries on Wednesday in the capital city of Kabul.

With over 2,500 participants, the assembly aims to discuss the proposed strategic partnership with the U.S. and government- initiated peace talks with the Taliban in the militancy-plagued country.

English.news.cn   2011-11-16 19:22:12 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Nov. 16 (Xinhua)