At least five attackers were killed in the battle, officials said.

In a brief statement, U.S. Central Command said the American soldiers were accompanied by troops of the Afghan National Army when they were attacked by "anti-coalition militia" in a village near Tarin Kowt.

The Americans were not identified by name or military unit.

Because of the location, the fighting did not appear to be directly related to reports that a senior member of the al-Qaida terrorist network, possibly Ayman al-Zawahri, had been cornered by Pakistani forces near the Afghan border.

The battle in which the two Americans were killed happened in Oruzgan province on Thursday afternoon, the Central Command statement said. After being fired upon, the American soldiers fired back, killing at least five and wounding an undetermined number of others, the statement said.

The wounded Americans were evacuated to Kandahar airfield for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not disclosed. Their names were being withheld until relatives could be notified.

Central Command called the attackers "terrorists" but did not elaborate. Pentagon officials said there was no indication that they were part of al-Qaida.

The two soldiers' deaths raised to 114 the number of American troops who have died in Operation Enduring Freedom, as the war in Afghanistan is called by the military, which started in October 2001.

Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.


Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.