MAYNARD, Mass. (AP) – A Navy SEAL from this town west of Boston was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday, a family member said.

Brian Oullette was among four members of the American special forces killed in Zabul province. His mother, Peg Ouellette, confirmed his death Sunday. “I loved him dearly,” she said, declining further comment.

The military said late Saturday that the four were “killed in action” in Zabul province, but gave no details.

U.S. military officials in Kabul could not be reached for comment Sunday.

But an Afghan government official told The AP Sunday that the four died when their Humvee hit a mine in the province’s mountainous Sorie district. The official said three more Americans were wounded in the blast, and that U.S. and Afghan troops had cordoned off the area.

At least 89 American service personnel have died in and around Afghanistan since the start of the U.S. war on terrorism following the Sept. 11 attacks, including 55 killed in action.

AP-ES-05-30-04 2203EDT