3 NATO soldiers killed in S Afghanistan

KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, a press release of the alliance said Monday.

"Three ISAF service members were killed yesterday, as a result of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonation that occurred in southern Afghanistan," the press release added.

"In fighting the insurgents and preventing them from harassing the population, these soldiers made the highest sacrifice to help give the Afghan people a chance to improve their quality of life. We will never forget them," the press release quoted Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay as saying.

However, it did not mention the exact place of the incident and nationality of victims by saying, "it is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so."

August has seen mounting violence as 38 international soldiers have been killed so far in the post-Taliban country.