The attack today was the second death this month of a member in the NATO-led coalition. In keeping with their strict rules, NATO does not release the nationality of troops killed in combat, but the majority of the military personnel deployed in the south of Afghanistan are American and British.
According to an Associated Press count, 136 NATO troops have died so far this year in Afghanistan. Of that figure 106 were American military personnel.
Responsibility for the country's security has been turned over to the Afghan National Security Forces but NATO troops routinely aid their Afghan allies when they come under heavy attack from insurgents.