Quran stir: 2 more US troops killed

Thursdays killings raised to six the number of Americans killed in less than two weeks amid heightened tensions over the February 20 burning of Qurans that had been dumped in a garbage pit at Bagram Air Field near Kabul. More than 30 Afghans also were killed in six days of violent riots that broke out after the incident.

President Barack Obama apologised and said the burning was an accident,but that has failed to quell the anger.

US officials in Washington confirmed the two slain NATO service members were Americans. One said details of the killings Thursday in southern Afghanistan were still unclear but officials believe there were three attackers,two of whom were subsequently killed. He said the third may be in custody.

Western officials have said a joint investigation by NATO and Afghan officials was nearly complete,and preliminary findings could be released within days. The report,a military official said,might also include recommendations for disciplinary action.

Jan Kubic,head of the UN mission in Afghanistan,said Thursday that after the profound apology there must be the second step of appropriate disciplinary action.