Second deadly attack on Nato-led troops in Afghanistan

Two separate gun attacks on Nato-led troops in south Afghanistan have left a total of six soldiers dead, coalition officials say.

An Afghan civilian employee shot dead three soldiers, whose nationalities were not given, at a base in Helmand province on Friday. On the same day, also in Helmand, an Afghan police officer shot three US marines after inviting them to dinner.

The killing of two British soldiers in Helmand was also announced on Friday. There is mounting concern over attacks on Nato troops by their Afghan allies.

Members of the Afghan security forces have killed 34 international coalition soldiers this year, in 26 incidents, US military spokeswoman Maj Lori Hodge told the BBC. Last year, there were 35 deaths, in 21 incidents, she said.

In spite of the gains made by coalition forces, and their attempts to wipe out militant leaders, almost every day brings proof that Taliban militants retain the capability to kill, the BBC’s Aleem Maqbool reports Kabul.