1 French soldier killed, 2 wounded in clash with insurgents in Afghanistan

1 French soldier killed in Afghanistan

KABUL — The French military says one of its soldiers was killed and two others were wounded in a clash with insurgents north of Kabul.

The military says in a statement the battle took place in Kapisa province on Saturday. The French soldiers were conducting a joint operation with Afghan troops in the area.

Since 2001, France has lost 29 soldiers in Afghanistan. The number of foreign troops killed in the country has soared this year, as thousands of new troops have poured in to reverse the Taliban gains. In July, 74 foreign troops, including 43 Americans, were killed in bombings and clashes with insurgents.