Violence in Afghanistan is at its highest levels since the overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001, with rising casualties on all sides of the conflict. More than 2,000 foreign troops have died since then, over half in the last two years.

Three troops with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the west of the country, ISAF said.

Four troops were killed in insurgent attacks and a bombing in the south, while an eighth service member was killed in the east in an attack by insurgents.

ISAF did not give any further details on the attacks or provide nationalities of those killed.

Six foreign troops were killed in three attacks in the east and south of the country on Wednesday.

At least 40 foreign troops have died in Afghanistan this month alone -- nearly three deaths a day. More than 585 troops have died this year compared to 521 for all of 2009.

Reuters