The killing, announced by officials on Monday, came as the monthly US death toll rose sharply in March to 14 with the start of the spring fighting season when the Taliban and other insurgents take advantage of improved weather to step up attacks.Sgt Michael Cable, 26, was guarding Afghan and US officials meeting in Shinwar district in Nangarhar province, near the border with Pakistan, when the stabbing occurred last Wednesday, two senior US officials said.
Sgt Cable was playing with a group of children outside when the attacker, thought to be 16 years of age, came from behind and stabbed him in the neck with a large knife.
Zalmai Khan, a senior district official, said the teenager had escaped to nearby Pakistan.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the young man was acting independently when he killed the soldier, but had joined the Islamic militant movement since fleeing the scene.