KABUL, Afghanistan — Six Western troops, including three Americans, were killed Monday in Afghanistan, marking the deadliest day for the NATO-led international force in more than two months.
The Americans died in a firefight with militants during an “operational patrol” in southern Afghanistan, U.S. military spokesman Col. Wayne Shanks said. He declined to provide on the exact location of the clash or their branch of service pending notification of family members.
The deaths raised to at least 10 the number of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan so far this year, according to an Associated Press tally.
A French officer was killed during a joint patrol with Afghan troops in Alasay, a valley largely under insurgent control that NATO is trying to reclaim. Another French service member was seriously wounded in the attack some 50 miles northeast of Kabul. Eight French troops were in the patrol, said spokesman Col. Jacky Fouquereau.
NATO said another service member was killed in the clash but did not release the nationality. It said a sixth service member was killed by a roadside bomb in the south.
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