5 NATO TROOPS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

By AMIR SHAH, Associated Press Writer Amir Shah, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 34 mins ago

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KABUL, Afghanistan – Five NATO service members died Tuesday from fighting in the south and east of Afghanistan, officials said, as Taliban militants ramp up attacks on Afghan and international security forces.

Authorities also said that 12 Afghan police officers and six civilians have died in attacks and bombings since early Monday.

The Taliban have declared a summer offensive against NATO forces and those allied with the coalition or the Afghan government, while the military alliance is preparing a major operation to quell militants in the Taliban heartland of southern Kandahar province.

Both NATO troops and Afghan security forces have been suffering heavier casualties in recent weeks. Including the latest deaths, 44 international service members have been killed so far this month, 27 of them American, nine British.