The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says a British soldier serving with the NATO-led force in Afghanistan has been killed in the latest of several "insider attacks."
An ISAF spokesman said the British soldier was killed by a man wearing an Afghan National Army uniform. Several British soldiers were also reported wounded.
The incident occurred in the Nahr-e Saraj district of southern Helmand Province late on January 7.
When describing the incident at a press conference in Kabul on January 8, ISAF spokesman Guenter Katz said the shooter "turned his weapon against members of the Afghan National Army and ISAF" at the Hazrat patrol base in Helmand province. Katz added that the assailant was also shot dead during an ensuing gunfight.
ISAF said the incident is currently under investigation.
A Taliban spokesman claimed the attack was carried out by one of their militants who had infiltrated the NATO-led force.
There has recently been a sharp rise in so-called "insider attacks."
NATO says more than 60 foreign soldiers were killed in 45 incidents last year.
A number of attacks have also been carried out by members of Afghan security forces against their own comrades.
The latest incident comes as Afghan President Hamid Karzai begins a four-day visit to the United States on January 8.
At a scheduled meeting with Karzai on January 11, President Barack Obama is expected to discuss the transition process as most U.S. and NATO-led forces prepare to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
The White House is said to be considering the size of a "residual force" to leave behind in Afghanistan after 2014.
The scheduled meeting on January 11 will be the first between Karzai and Obama since Obama's reelection to a second term in office.
An ISAF spokesman said the British soldier was killed by a man wearing an Afghan National Army uniform. Several British soldiers were also reported wounded.
The incident occurred in the Nahr-e Saraj district of southern Helmand Province late on January 7.
When describing the incident at a press conference in Kabul on January 8, ISAF spokesman Guenter Katz said the shooter "turned his weapon against members of the Afghan National Army and ISAF" at the Hazrat patrol base in Helmand province. Katz added that the assailant was also shot dead during an ensuing gunfight.
ISAF said the incident is currently under investigation.
A Taliban spokesman claimed the attack was carried out by one of their militants who had infiltrated the NATO-led force.
There has recently been a sharp rise in so-called "insider attacks."
NATO says more than 60 foreign soldiers were killed in 45 incidents last year.
A number of attacks have also been carried out by members of Afghan security forces against their own comrades.
The latest incident comes as Afghan President Hamid Karzai begins a four-day visit to the United States on January 8.
At a scheduled meeting with Karzai on January 11, President Barack Obama is expected to discuss the transition process as most U.S. and NATO-led forces prepare to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
The White House is said to be considering the size of a "residual force" to leave behind in Afghanistan after 2014.
The scheduled meeting on January 11 will be the first between Karzai and Obama since Obama's reelection to a second term in office.