Afghan in security forces uniform kills three NATO soldiers

Three NATO service members were killed and one was wounded in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday by an assailant wearing an Afghan National Security Forces uniform, the first such attack in several months.

The International Security Assistance confirmed the attack but did not release further information regarding nationality of the troops killed.

"We can confirm that three ISAF service members were killed and one wounded by an individual wearing an ANSF uniform in Gardez,'' said Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi.
The assailant was shot dead by Afghan soldiers immediately after the attack, Azimi said.

An Afghan official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the three soldiers killed were special forces, though he declined to provide their nationality.

The international force consists of more than 87,000 troops from 49 contributing nations -- though the large majority of them are U.S. service members. Most of the forces in the eastern part of the country are American.

Killings by uniformed Afghans of foreign soldiers and civilians rose dramatically last year, eroding confidence between the sides at a crucial turning point in the conflict. So-called insider attacks killed 62 personnel in 47 incidents last year compared to 35 killed in 21 attacks a year earlier, according to NATO.

So far in 2013, 11 foreign soldiers have been killed in seven such attacks, including Saturday's, according to an Associated Press count.