German troops die in Taliban gun battle

A gun battle began after a German Eagle armoured vehicle was hit by what was believed to be a rocket at around noon local time.

The fighting happened between the northern city of Kunduz and Baghlan, a Taliban stronghold.

German Defence Minister Karl-Theodore zu Guttenberg, who was due to end a visit to Afghanistan yesterday, was extending his stay in the country.

President Barack Obama yesterday reaffirmed his plans to start withdrawing United States troops from Afghanistan next year, saying they "can't be there in perpetuity."

Mr Obama said the war in Afghanistan remained a difficult task but that there had been positive trends recently.

He reiterated his plan to begin moving out US troops in 2011 and

handing responsibility for security to domestic forces.

Meanwhile, the pregnant fiancee of a 20-year-old soldier killed in Afghanistan watched his body return to Britain yesterday, just weeks away from the birth of their daughter.

Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, died from gunshot wounds following a battle in the Nad 'Ali area of Helmand province.

Fusilier Burgess's partner Kelly Forrest, who is expecting their daughter Abigail in May, took her place among the crowds at Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.

A plane carrying his body arrived at nearby RAF Lyneham at 9am, avoiding problems with volcanic ash from Iceland which affected other UK flights.

A private ceremony for Fusilier Burgess, born in Swansea, South Wales, was held at the base's chapel before hundreds watched his cortege pass through the market town.

Ms Forrest was consoled as the union flag-draped coffin stopped briefly in front of the assembled crowd.

Fusilier Burgess had been in Afghanistan for four months and was on patrol when he died on April 7.

He leaves behind his father Royston, mother Susan, sisters Tracy and Suzanne, and brothers David, Christopher and Ashley.