Afghan attack kills Isaf troops

Afghan and Isaf troops called in air support after they came under attack

Five coalition soldiers have been killed in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan, Nato has said.

One was American and four were from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, Nato said. Reports suggest two of those four were Latvian.

They were killed in fighting that "included small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade strikes", Nato said.

As of February, Isaf had 56,420 personnel from 41 different countries including the US, Europe and Australia.

A Nato spokeswoman told Reuters news agency the insurgents had attacked an outpost in eastern Afghanistan earlier on Friday and struck an ammunition store, causing an explosion.

Afghan and Isaf troops called in air support after they came under attack, a Nato statement said.

The insurgents fled and Isaf-Afghan forces were in pursuit, it added.

"It is with profound grief that we inform you of the death of these soldiers, and offer our heartfelt condolences to their families, and our support to those wounded in this incident," said Isaf spokesman Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette.

"As we mourn their loss, we renew our commitment to the Afghan people which is more enduring than the insurgents' campaign of destruction and death."

Isaf does not name nor release the nationality of any casualty before the relevant country involved has done so.

Latvian news agency Leta named the two Latvian soldiers killed. The other two Isaf soldiers who died are reported to have been American.