AFGHANISTAN: Two civilians killed in suicide bomb attack against NATO troops in Afghanistan

Two Afghan civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a NATO convoy in the country's volatile south on Tuesday (August 29), the latest incident in the worst upsurge of violence since the Taliban were ousted five years ago. Police said the car bomber attacked the convoy between Kandahar airport, a major foreign military base, and the city. NATO said in a later statement two civilians were killed and a third injured, but none of its soldiers was hurt, In Kabul, a roadside bomb exploded early on Tuesday as a French military patrol passed, but police said there were no casualties. The latest attacks came a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 17 civilians, including several children, in a crowded bazaar in the southern province of Helmand, neighbouring Kandahar and Afghanistan's main drug growing area. The Taliban could not immediately be contacted for comment. Since their overthrow in 2001, the Taliban and their Islamic allies have carried out scores of suicide attacks against Afghan and foreign forces, often killing many civilians as well. Fighting across Afghanistan is now at its worst since 2001, mostly in the south and east bordering or near Pakistan, the Taliban's one-time backer accused by some Afghan leaders and intelligence officers of still supporting its former protege. About 2,000 people, most of them militants, but also civilians, aid workers, Afghan forces and more than 90 foreign soldiers, have been killed this year. The violence is a mix of opposition to Afghan authorities and foreign forces, the drugs trade, tribe wars and crime. NATO said in a statement on Tuesday one of its soldiers had been killed in a gunbattle with suspected insurgents in Helmand on Sunday morning. It did not give the victim's nationality.

ITN Source | August 29, 2006

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