KABUL, July 17: A member of a US-led force in Afghanistan has been punished for striking an Afghan government soldier, a US commander said on Saturday.

The US military has been under intense scrutiny for its treatment of suspects following revelations of ill-treatment of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and at the Guantanamo Bay US naval base in Cuba.

The Afghan government soldier was struck on the shin with a stick and did not suffer a serious injury. The official who hit him had been fined, and the incident would have implications for his career, Brigadier-General Thomas Mancino told reporters.

"We consider it a very regrettable incident and I'm confident it won't happen again," said Gen Mancino, who is in charge of a task force helping to set up the Afghan National Army, which he said was now nearly 13,000-strong.

The US military spokesman did not state the official's nationality.

The US has about 17,500 troops in the country. Another 2,000 troops from various countries are working with US forces.

A US military review of its prison system in Afghanistan was launched after allegations of abuse by former detainees. A report is expected this month.-Reuters -Reuters