Blasts kill 7 U.S. troops in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 6 (UPI) -- Militant attacks in Afghanistan Monday killed six U.S. soldiers, officials said.

A NATO forces representative told CNN four Americans died in an attack in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility, the U.S. network said.

Two other U.S. soldiers were killed when an improvised explosive device was detonated in southern Afghanistan. NATO's International Security Assistance Forces said it had no further information about that attack, CNN said.

The Los Angeles Times said a seventh U.S. soldier was killed in the country's eastern region.

"On behalf of all ISAF service members, I wish to express our profound regret and sadness at the news of the death of these six courageous soldiers," ISAF spokesman Brig. Gen. Eric Tremblay said.

"They lost their life helping to bring security, stability and hope to a troubled region of the world," Tremblay said. "They, like the other men and women who serve in Afghanistan, were performing admirably in support of this important mission, this country and its people. We will not forget their sacrifice."

Two Afghan civilians died when a suicide bomber attacked an outer gate of the NATO base at Kandahar, the Times said.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Defense Ministry said a British soldier died in an explosion Sunday.