Posted on 08/19/2006 11:48:56 AM PDT by exg
4 U.S. troops killed in clashes in Afghanistan Updated Sat. Aug. 19 2006 12:55 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Four U.S. soldiers were killed in two separate gun battles in Afghanistan on Saturday.
In the first attack, three American soldiers were killed in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan during an exchange of gunfire with suspected Taliban insurgents, said U.S. army spokesman Col. Tom Collins.
There was no word on whether there were casualties among the enemy fighters.
In another clash Saturday, an American and an Afghan soldier were killed in combat in the Cheno district of the southern province of Uruzgan.
Collins said the soldiers were killed during a "fight with a large group of Taliban."
Three other U.S. soldiers were wounded in the Uruzgan fighting.
Saturday's casualties bring the death toll to 92 for foreign soldiers killed in Afghanistan so far this year.
The casualties come as Afghanistan celebrated its 87th anniversary of independence from Britain, and on the same day a fallen Canadian soldier will be buried in B.C.
Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom was killed last Friday when a suicide bomber drove his vehicle into the NATO re-supply convoy he was travelling in.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place about 100 kilometres southeast of Kandahar near Spin Boldak.
The 23-year-old medic is due to be buried in his hometown of Comox, B.C., on Saturday afternoon.
After his death, Eykelenboom's family released a statement expressing support for Canada's role in Afghanistan.
"The work of the NATO forces ... is not only about protecting Canada's sovereignty -- it is about making the world a better place for all," the statement said.
"The military presence is required in Afghanistan for many reasons. The foremost that comes to our minds is the need to foster an environment where we can show the people that there is another way of life."
With files from The Canadian Press
Prayers for our soldiers and their families. May the Lord provide comfort for the families of our fallen heroes. Prayers, also, for our Canadian friends. We mourn their loss as well.
Prayers for your fallen heroes and their families.
There could have been 400+ enemy killed and we wouldn't hear about it.
Bless you and thank you.
Damn. Sorry to hear this. May God bless them and their families.
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