Big surge in Afghanistan violence

US-led soldiers are battling the biggest surge in violence in Afghanistan since the country's former leaders were toppled in 2001.

They were called the Taleban and they were overthrown by US-led forces called the coalition after the September 11 attacks as part of a "war on terror".

But Taleban soldiers have recently stepped up attacks in the country and around 50 foreign troops have died.

British troops are part of the US-led force. Two of them died at the weekend.

More equipment

They were killed in an attack in the Sangin district in the southern province of Helmand on Saturday.

Five British troops have died in Afghanistan in the past three weeks.

British commanders in the country have now asked for more equipment.

Brigadier Ed Butler said this was to help his soldiers deal with the "changing circumstances".

Helicopter crash

On Sunday, 20 rebel fighters died in another battle in the country. Two coalition troops were injured.

Later that day, a coalition helicopter responding to a reported rocket attack crashed, killing one soldier and injuring another.

There are about 4,000 British troops in Afghanistan. They are there to help train Afghan forces, keep people safe and re-build the country.