Three US soldiers killed in Afghan 'insider attack'

Jalalabad : An Afghan commando who opened fire on American troops killed three of them and wounded another, US and Afghan officials said, in an insider attack that was claimed by the Taliban.

The so-called "green-on-blue" attack on Saturday is the latest in a line of incidents where Afghansoldiers have turned their weapons on international forces they are working with.

It also comes as the Taliban ramp up their campaign against the Western-backed government in Afghanistan, and as US President Donald Trump mulls sending more troops into the lengthy conflict.

Nangarhar provincial spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP the Afghan commando had opened fire on US troops during an operation in the volatile Achin district.

"The (Afghan) soldier was also killed in the return fire," he said.

The Pentagon said the families of the three dead soldiers were being informed.

"One US soldier was wounded and has been evacuated for medical treatment," a spokesman added. "This incident is under investigation."

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the deaths, saying the attack was carried out by an infiltrator.

Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed on Twitter that four US soldiers were killed in the attack. The insurgents are known to exaggerate battlefield claims.

Achin is also contested by militants of the Islamic State group.

In April, the US military dropped its largest non-nuclear bomb ever used in combat on a complex of caves in Achin used by IS fighters.

The deployment of the so-called Mother Of All Bombs killed dozens of jihadists but fighting in the area has continued.

American troops have partnered with Afghan soldiers in raids against IS Khorasan, claiming the local offshoot of the jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria is steadily losing ground in Afghanistan.