An explosion killed a soldier from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in southern Afghanistan and wounded five others, the force said on Monday.

More than 760 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since U.S.-led and Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in 2001. Last year was the most violent yet as the Islamist fighters became more widespread.

ISAF does not disclose the nationality of casualties until the country's defence ministry makes an announcement, but most of its soldiers in the south of Afghanistan are from Britain, the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.

Taliban fighters are active throughout the rural areas of southern Afghanistan while ISAF and Afghan troops hold the cities and towns.

The United States is sending 3,200 Marines to southern Afghanistan after commanders complained they often do not have the manpower to hold ground taken from Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces are not yet strong enough to do so for them.

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NATO soldiers in southern Afghanistan

Reuters