Bomb kills 3 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan; 4 injured

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Three U.S. service members died and four were injured Tuesday when an improvised explosive device blew up in Afghanistan, officials said.

The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission said Tuesday the soldiers were killed near Ghazni in central Afghanistan.

An American contractor was among the injured. They were evacuated and treated, but the extent of their injuries was not disclosed.

The names of the dead are withheld until 24 hours after the families have been notified.

The Resolute Support Mission has trained and advised Afghan military forces for three years. It consists of about 13,000 troops.

Friendly fire is likely to blame for the death of U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Leandro Jasso, who died Nov. 24 in the Nimroz Province in western Afghanistan. A preliminary investigation shows Afghan partner forces accidentally shot him during during a close-quarter firefight with al Qaida militants.

"The loss of Sgt. Jasso is felt by his family and loved ones, by all who served with him and by all on this mission to protect our country and our allies," Gen Scott Miller, Commanding General of Resolute Support and United States Forces in Afghanistan.