KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- An Italian solder killed in Afghanistan may have been killed by friendly fire from Afghan troops, military officials in Rome said.
The unnamed soldier was hit in the head during an insurgent attack on an advance base in northwestern Afghanistan's Bala Murghab Valley Tuesday, ANSA reported.
Military officials said the fatal shot might have come "from Afghan military personnel or someone wearing an Afghan military uniform."
A second soldier was hit in the shoulder but the wound was not said to be life-threatening.
Attacks on Italian forces have become more frequent since many Taliban insurgents have been driven out of southern Afghanistan.
The death of the soldier was Italy's 36th casualty since its mission in the country began in 2004, ANSA said.
