One US Marine has been killed and one wounded in a clash overnight with suspected insurgents in the central Afghan province of Uruzgan. The soldiers were on patrol south of the town of Tirin Kot late on Friday when they came under attack, Lieutenant Colonel Tucker Mansager told reporters in Kabul on Saturday. "Coalition forces have reported coming under attack overnight south of Tirin Kot. One US Marine was killed and one wounded," he said. "That engagement just ended late last night and early this morning," Mansager added. "It was as the result of a direct fire engagement with anti-coalition militias in the area south of Tirin Kot." It appears that the Marines were part of a new 2000-strong force deployed in Afghanistan to join the hunt for members of the Taliban regime and al-Qaida who are believed active in the south and east of the country. **PHOTO CAPTION*** A US marine soldier takes position as two US Cobra helicopters prepare to land. (AFP)