Seven troops killed in Afghan blast

Seven international troops were killed in a blast in southern Afghanistan today, Nato said.

The service members with the International Security Assistance Force died after an attack with an improvised explosive device.

There was no immediate breakdown of the nationalities of those involved but it was understood that none were British.

The number of UK military personnel who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 stands at 366.

Besides the seven troops killed in the roadside bombing, one Nato service member was killed when a helicopter crashed in the east.

It was the deadliest day for coalition forces in Afghanistan since April 27, when a veteran Afghan military pilot opened fire at Kabul airport after an argument and killed eight US troops and an American civilian contractor.

Thirty-eight international service members have been killed so far this month, including at least 13 Americans. So far this year, 189 coalition troops have died in Afghanistan.