KABUL, Afghanistan, JAN 06 (AP/UNB) - NATO says one of its service members has been killed in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.

The alliance said the attack occurred early Friday, but provided no further details.

This was the fifth coalition death since the start of the year. On Thursday, three soldiers were killed by a bomb in the south.

At least 544 NATO troops died in Afghanistan in 2011. It was the second deadliest year for coalition troops in the 10-year war.

Taliban military activities typically abate during the winter, because heavy snows and bitter cold in the rough mountain terrain makes it difficult for the insurgents to mount attacks.