KABUL (PAN): Four soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have been killed in separate attacks in southern and eastern Afghanistan, the Western military alliance said on Thursday.

One soldier was killed today when an ISAF patrol was first struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) and then attacked by insurgents with small arms fire. The patrol responded to the attack but a service member was killed in the engagement.

Without saying where the bomb blast took place, US military spokesperson Captain Jonathan Stock confirmed the deceased was an American soldier.

"We grieve today for the sad loss of another courageous and hard-working ISAF service member," said Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay, ISAF spokesperson.

One ISAF service member died yesterday as a result of wounds suffered in a roadside bomb attack on August 15. The soldier had been repatriated home for treatment and was with his family when he passed away.

Earlier in the day, ISAF said of its soldiers were killed in separate attacks that occurred in southern and eastern Afghanistan. One US soldier died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation in the volatile south while a second was killed in a hostile fire attack in the east.

"We share a sense of sadness and loss with the families and friends of these service members and offer our deepest condolences to them in this most difficult time," said Brig. Gen. Eric Tremblay.

In the southeaster province of Paktia, seven insurgents were detained during an operation aimed at capturing a suspected militant leader in Saroza district, the NATO-led force said.

Afghan security forces, leading the mission, entered a medical clinic to capture the suspected militant leader, who was being treated there for injuries sustained during a firefight on election day.

While clearing the clinic, the Afghan security forces came under direct fire. ISAF and Afghan troops arrived to support those already on the scene. "An Apache helicopter fired rounds at the building, ending the direct threat and injuring the targeted insurgent in the building."

mud/pr