US civilian killed in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan

US civilian killed in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL — An American civilian working alongside U.S. troops in eastern Afghanistan has been killed in an insurgent attack.

A statement Monday from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force did not provide any other details about the victim or the location of the attack. The statement says the civilian was in a patrol that was attacked by insurgent gunfire.

A number of insurgent groups operate in eastern Afghanistan, a mountainous rugged area that borders Pakistan.

Attacks in Afghanistan have risen steadily the last three years. U.S., NATO and Afghan security forces are boosting their presence this week to help protect voters taking part in Thursday’s presidential election.