US-led soldier dies in eastern Afghanistan: ISAF

A foreign soldier serving with the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has died of non-combat related injuries in the troubled eastern Afghanistan, the western military alliance says.

ISAF released a statement saying the soldier died on Friday, but it did not disclose the soldiers’ nationality, nor did it provide further details on the incident.

Most of the troops stationed in the volatile region are Americans.

Nearly 123 US-led soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of the year. However, 2010 remains the deadliest year for foreign military casualties with a death toll of 711.

According to the latest figures released by the website icasualties.org, 3,372 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since the US-led war began more than eleven years ago.

The increasing number of military casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger in the US and other NATO member states, undermining public support for the Afghan war.

In a separate development, Taliban militants attack the US consulate in the western city of Herat, killing several people.

At least three policemen have been killed and 22 other people injured in the assault. All US consulate personnel are said to be safe.

The militants blew up an explosive-laden car at the entrance of the consulate. Then they engaged in a gunfight with security forces which continued for some time.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.