From correspondents in Rome | February 14, 2008
ONE Italian soldier was killed and another wounded today in a clash with insurgents in Afghanistan, the Italian defence ministry said overnight.
The incident happened near Rudbar, about 60 kilometres from the capital Kabul, it said.
Italian troops "were engaged in civilian and military co-operation and aid to the local population" when they were "targeted with light weapons from hostile elements, to which they responded".
During the exchange, one Italian soldier died and another was slightly wounded, the defence ministry said.
It is the first fatal casualty for the 2300-strong Italian force in Afghanistan since November 24, when one soldier was killed and three wounded in a suicide attack that also killed seven Afghan civilians and wounded seven.