KABUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A soldier of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed and another sustained injuries when a mine struck their vehicle in south Afghanistan Saturday, a statement of the alliance released here said.

    "One ISAF soldier lost his life and another was injured when a mine hit their vehicle in the southern region," the statement added.

    However, it did not identify the nationality of the victim and the exact location of the incident saying ISAF will not reveal the nationality of the victim unless the relevant nation does so.

    Mostly Canadian, Dutch, British and U.S. troops have been serving in south Afghanistan the hotbed of Taliban insurgents.

    The U.S. commander of NATO in Afghanistan General Dan Mc Neill predicted recently that militants would increase their activities through suicide and explosive devices in 2008.