5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 24

NATO said Friday , a nother five US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan's southern Taliban stronghold by i nsurgents . NATO commander is poised to request more troops to avoid failure in the eight-year war.

Photo: 5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 24

Two soldiers were killed outright and three later died of their injuries in a trio of separate incidents on Thursday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said Friday.

"Two members were killed and one died from wounds as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation," ISAF said, referring to the remote-controlled bombs that have become the scourge of troops in Afghanistan.

"One service member died of gunshot wounds from an insurgent attack and one service member died of wounds sustained in an insurgent attack while on patrol," the statement added, AFP reports.

It was also reported, t he Taliban insurgency has been gaining strength in Afghanistan over past months, prompting the commander of U.S. and NATO forces to call for more troops.

Turning the tide is a key objective for U.S. President Barack Obama, a formidable task when public support for the war is waning among Washington's NATO allies.

The Taliban have been building their forces in their traditional stronghold in southern and eastern Afghanistan and are increasing attacks in the north and west, hitherto quiet.

There are three main insurgent groups. While coordinating efforts and sharing common goals, they have different command structures and work under separate strategic plans, according to this month's report by General Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Reuters reports.

News agencies also report, that two soldiers were killed and one died from wounds as a result of an improvised explosive device detonation while one service member died of gunshot wounds from an insurgent attack, and one service member died of wounds sustained in an insurgent attack while on patrol.

Meantime, Capt. Regina Gillis, a U.S. spokesperson, confirmed that all of the deceased service members are from the United States.

Conflicts and violence have left 365 foreign troopers, including 213 U.S. soldiers, dead so far this year in war-torn Afghanistan, Xinhua reports.