British NATO soldier killed in Afghan clash

KABUL, Jan 14 (Reuters) Insurgents attacked NATO troops in southern Afghanistan and killed a British marine, the first foreign soldier killed in Afghanistan this year, the alliance and Britain's Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry yesterday said the marine was killed during a mission to clear Taliban positions in northern Helmand province.

Last year was the bloodiest in Afghanistan since US-led forces overthrew the Taliban in 2001.

More than 4,000 people were killed, most of them Taliban militants, but including nearly 170 foreign soldiers killed in attacks or accidents during operations.

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