NATO, Afghan Troops Killed While Searching For Missing U.S. Soldiers

November 8, 2009 8:28 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN) - More than 25 NATO and Afghan troops were wounded or killed while searching for two U.S. soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne who went missing this week during a resupply mission in Afghanistan, NATO said in a statement.

The paratroopers went missing on Nov. 4. NATO said that Afghan and coalition forces are looking for the soldiers. The military is withholding more details about how the soldiers disappeared while the incident is being investigated.

But NATO said that five U.S. soldiers were wounded in firefights that happened during search operations this week. Four Afghan soldiers and three Afghan police officers were killed in action. Up to 15 Afghan soldiers and two police officers were wounded in firefights with the insurgents.

Additionally, one Afghan civilian working with the Afghan National Army was killed and another wounded, NATO said in a statement.

Some of the casualties may have been because of friendly fire from NATO close air support, NATO said.