LISBON, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- A Portuguese soldier was killed Friday when an explosion struck his patrol vehicle in Afghanistan, the Portuguese state news agency Lusa reported.

    The sergeant died in the explosion in the Afghan capital Kabul, Lusa said, quoting an unnamed official of the Ministry of Defense.

    However, in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the International Security and Assistance Force said a land mine explosion killed one international peacekeeping soldier and injured three in the Bagrami district, east of Kabul.

    He said the nationalities of the casualties are still unclear.

    Portuguese Defense Ministry officials have refused to comment, saying a news conference would be held later in the day.

    As part of the 10,000 peacekeeping NATO force, Portugal has 196 military personnel in Afghanistan. Enditem