US marine dies in Afghan fighting

A US marine and an Afghan soldier have been killed in a clash with suspected militants in eastern Afghanistan, the US military has said.

Four Afghan soldiers were also injured in the clash, north-west of Kunar's capital, Asadabad, on Thursday.

US-led forces have been engaged in an operation in Kunar province, where 19 US personnel were killed in June.

Suspected Taleban militants have stepped up violence ahead of parliamentary polls next month.

Navy SEALs

The US military said its forces were "conducting operations to disrupt enemy forces" in Kunar ahead of the polls on 18 September.

Lt Col James E Donnellan, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, said the losses would "only strengthen our resolve to complete our mission".

The wounded Afghan troops were taken to Asadabad for treatment.

More than 50 US personnel have been killed in Afghanistan in the past six months.

In June, three Navy SEALs were killed in fighting in Kunar and a helicopter sent to rescue them went down, possibly under enemy fire, killing 16 more US personnel.