3 US troops die in Afghanistan, 1 in combat

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Military officials say three American troops have died in Afghanistan, including one killed in combat in the country’s east.

A statement from the NATO-led force in Afghanistan says two of the Americans died Sunday in a noncombat-related incident in the south.

The statement provided no other details and a spokesman said he didn’t have additional information. A leading cause of noncombat deaths is traffic accidents, but they also can include other kinds of accidents and suicide or murder.

The third American died in fighting Saturday.

This year has been the deadliest for American forces of the eight-year war. August was the deadliest month of the war, when 51 U.S. troops died. More than 60,000 U.S. troops are now in the country.