COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Federal officials say two Kansas-based soldiers from South Carolina and Arkansas have been killed in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense said Sunday that 24-year-old Sgt. Channing B. Hicks of Greer and 23-year-old Spc. Joseph A. Richardson of Booneville, Ark., died Friday in Paktika province.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Officials say the men died from injuries they suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.