5 NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Five soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in Afghanistan's troubled southern region, according to a press release of the alliance on Saturday.

"Five international Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strike in southern Afghanistan on July 10," the press release said.

However, it did not identify the nationality of the victims, saying it is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualties prior to the relevant national authority doing so.

Troops from the U.S., Britain, Netherlands, Australia and Canada have been stationed in south Afghanistan to strengthen stability in Taliban hotbed.

A massive operation with the involvement of nearly 5,000 Afghan and U.S. Marines has been going on against Taliban hideouts in Helmand province since July 2.

Taliban fighters have vowed to speed up activities this year in Afghanistan and disrupt the presidential election set for August 20 in the post-Taliban country.