By AP with 3 News online staff
Defence officials say four United States troops have been killed at or near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, just hours after the US and the Taliban announced they would hold direct talks.
Officials say the four were killed by indirect fire, likely a mortar or rocket, but they had no other details.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to provide details on the deaths.
A spokesman for the New Zealand Defence Force, which still has staff at Bagram, says it is aware of an incident overnight but no New Zealanders were involved.
The attack comes as US and allied forces formally handed over control of the country's security to the Afghan army and police in a ceremony in Kabul. The transition to Afghan-led security means US and other foreign combat troops will not be directly carrying the fight to the insurgency, but will advise and back up the Afghan forces as needed with air support and medical evacuations.
AP/3 News