Five american troops killed in Afghanistan attacks

Nato said four troops were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, while a fifth died in a battle with insurgents in the country’s south. The deaths bring this month’s total to 55, still below the figure of 66 for July, the deadliest month for US troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.

Almost all the recent coalition deaths have come in southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban is most deeply entrenched and where fighting has been heaviest. Those areas are closest to the mountainous border with Pakistan.