Mine victim is 200th GI to be killed in Afghanistan

10/9/2005

KABUL, Afghanistan An American soldier who stepped on a land mine became the 200th U.S. military member to be killed in and around Afghanistan since the Taliban was ousted four years ago, officials reported yesterday.

This year has been the deadliest yet for the 21,000-strong U.S.-led coalition force, with 84 soldiers killed. A major increase in insurgent violence has left more than 1,300 people dead since March.

The latest American death occurred Friday while U.S. troops patrolled in a part of Helmand province that has been wracked by violence by Taliban-led rebels, a military statement said.