Wire: 3 US Servicemembers Die in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that officials say three American servicemembers have died in Afghanistan, including one killed in combat in the country's east.

A statement from the NATO-led force in Afghanistan says two of the Americans died Sunday in a noncombat-related incident in the south.

The statement provided no other details and a spokesman said he didn't have additional information.

The Associated Press reported that the third American died in fighting on Saturday.

This year has been the deadliest for American forces of the eight-year war, AP said. August was the deadliest month of the war, when 51 U.S. troops died.

More than 60,000 U.S. troops are now in Afghanistan.

(Report from newswire sources.)