Number of U.S. Wounded Surges

In addition to being the deadliest period in the Afghanistan war for American soldiers, the last three months have seen a major increase in the number of wounded troops as well. More than 1,000 troops have been injured in the past three months, a number that accounts for one-fourth of the total number wounded since the war began in 2001. With an expanded offensive under way against the Taliban and militants perfecting deadlier techniques like roadside bombs, military officials are comparing the environment to Iraq in its worst days—in fact, less troops were wounded on average during the mid-2007 surge in the country. Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, account for 70 to 80 percent of coalition casualties in Afghanistan.