3 US-led soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:40PM


British soldiers in Afghanistan (file photo)

Three US-led British soldiers have been killed in two separate incidents in Afghanistan's Helmand province, UK's Ministry of Defense says.

According the ministry, a soldier from the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device while patrolling in the province, while two other soldiers were killed earlier in a blaze that broke out at Camp Bastion in Helmand province.

Camp Bastion spokesman, Wing Commander Martin Tinworth, said the fire was "now under investigation."

Britain is the second largest contributor -- after the US -- to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

There are about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan and most of them are based in central Helmand.

Last year was the bloodiest year for foreign forces in Afghanistan -- with over 711 foreign troops killed.

The invasion of Afghanistan took place with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the country. Nine years on, however, Afghanistan remains unstable and civilians continue to pay the price.