Two NATO soldiers killed in south Afghan clashes

KABUL, June 6 (Reuters) Two NATO soldiers were killed today in separate clashes with insurgents in southern Afghanistan, the alliance said in a statement.

NATO did not identify the two soldiers or give their nationalities.

Violence in Afghanistan has escalated in recent months after a traditional winter lull but a major offensive that the Taliban threatened to mount has not materialised.

Last year was the bloodiest since the Taliban were defeated and driven from power in 2001.

Fifty foreign soldiers have been killed in fighting this year compared with about 170 in the whole of last year. A NATO soldier was killed in a clash in the east of the country yesterday.

REUTERS KN ND1745