Six NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

The soldiers were on patrol when a suicide bomber on a motorbike laden with explosives rammed into them, NATO confirmed on Monday,

A US official confirmed that all six casualties were American soldiers, adding that two more American troops were wounded.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident, especially during this holiday season," said US Army Brigadier General William Shoffner, who serves as head of public affairs at NATO's Resolute Support base in Kabul.

The suicide attack on international forces is the deadliest in months.

The soldiers were patrolling in Bagram, the largest US base left in the country, some 40 km (25 miles) north of the Afghani capital.

The Taliban militant group reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

Helmand on razor's edge

Also on Monday, the Reuters news agency reported that three missiles hit a government district in Kabul, with one of them landing near the US Embassy entrance on Masoud Square.

No details were immediately available on casualties or damage, the report said, citing police sources.

The latest incident comes only days after a siege near the Spanish embassy left two Spaniards and at least four Afghan police dead.

The Taliban have boosted their attacks along with the intense clashes between Taliban and government security forces in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand.

The clashes have accounted for the deaths of at least 90 government troops as Taliban fighters appear to be on the verge of taking control of the province.

ls, dj/jil (Reuters, AFP, AP)