Two US troops killed in Afghanistan, two others wounded

Two U.S. troops died and two more were wounded in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, after they came under fire from the Taliban while on a mission with Afghan forces.

"The service members came under fire during a train, advise and assist mission with our Afghan partners to clear a Taliban position and disrupt the group’s operations in Kunduz district," a statement from the U.S.-led mission said. 

The service members were not yet identified, due to next-of-kin notification procedures.  

The casualties bring the death toll up to six Americans in the last three months, as the U.S. has stepped up its training efforts in the face of a renewed Taliban insurgency. 

"On behalf of all of U.S. Forces — Afghanistan, today’s loss is heartbreaking and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of our service members who lost their lives today," said General John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.  

"Our wounded soldiers are receiving the best medical care possible and we are keeping them and their families in our thoughts today, as well," he said. "Despite today’s tragic event, we are steadfast in our commitment to help our Afghan partners defend their nation."

Although President Obama formally ended the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014, there are about 9,800 U.S. troops in the country conducting a train, advise and assist mission, to bolster Afghan forces against the Taliban, and to target terrorists. 

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