NATO soldier killed in E. Afghanistan

KABUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A soldier of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed in east Afghanistan bringing the number of casualties to three in two days, a press release of the alliance said Monday.

"An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service member died as a result of an insurgent attack that occurred on July 12 in eastern Afghanistan," the press release added.

"We grieve for this service member, who lost his life yesterday fighting insurgents in Afghanistan," said Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay, ISAF Spokesperson in the press release.

"This is another painful reminder that we are engaged in a complex and dangerous mission to bring progress in Afghanistan and ensure that this country never again becomes a base for terrorism," the spokesman further stressed in the press release.

The number of the casualties of US-led forces in Afghanistan has begun surging since launching massive operation against Taliban militants in the restive Helmand province on July 2 as so far around a dozen foreign soldiers have lost their lives in the post-Taliban country.