US-led soldier killed in eastern Afghanistan

A US-led foreign soldier serving with the NATO military alliance has been killed in a bomb explosion in eastern Afghanistan. Although US military officials in Kabul have reportedly confirmed the death of the soldier in a Sunday statement, further details regarding his nationality or the exact location of the explosion have not been released. The recent death puts the total number of US-led soldiers killed in Afghanistan since Saturday, at five. On Saturday, at least four US-led soldiers were killed in separate explosions in southern Afghanistan. Roadside bombs and IEDs are by far the most lethal weapon the Taliban militants have used against Afghan forces and foreign troops in recent years. The recent death brings the number of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan to at least 170 so far this year. A total of 566 US-led soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2011. However, 2010 remains the deadliest year for foreign military casualties, with a death toll of 711. The growing number of military casualties in Afghanistan has intensified opposition in the United States and other NATO member states against the protracted war in the country.