2 NATO soldiers killed in S. Afghanistan

Two ISAF soldiers were killed and three others injured in the southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Saturday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.

Some insurgents attacked ISAF troops with rocket propelled grenades and small arms at around 3:00 p.m. local time (1030 GMT), it said.

"ISAF troops returned fire with small arms and artillery and called in close air support," it added.

The injured ISAF soldiers have been evacuated to a medical facility for treatment, it said.

However, the statement did not mention casualties of the insurgents and the exact location for the conflict.

It also declined to announce the soldiers' nationality. However, about 2,300 Canadian troops are being deployed in the province, a traditional stronghold for Taliban militants.

Due to rising Taliban-linked violence this year, Afghanistan has plunged into the worst spate of bloodshed since the former Taliban regime was toppled nearly five years ago.

Over 2,400 people, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year. Among the fatalities are over 110 foreign soldiers.

Source: Xinhua