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Nato troops killed in Afghanistan Nato firing 'kills eight Afghans'
(about 1 hour later)
Two Nato soldiers have been killed in fighting in southern Afghanistan, Nato has said. Coalition troops in Afghanistan have opened fire after a suicide bomb attack on a convoy, killing eight civilians, Afghan authorities have said.
No information was given on the nationality of the International Security Assistance Force troops or where the fighting had taken place. The incident occurred when the bomber struck a military vehicle on the main road linking the eastern city of Jalalabad with the Pakistan border.
Most of the troops in southern Afghanistan are British or Canadian. Neither the US military nor Nato has yet commented on the incident.
Separately, eight civilians were killed when foreign troops opened fire after a suicide bomb attack on a road from Jalalabad to Pakistan, police said. Separately, Nato said two soldiers had been killed in southern Afghanistan but it has not yet given their nationality.
Noor Agha Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, said: "A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of foreign troops and subsequently the soldiers in the convoy fired in self defence resulting to the killing and wounding of some civilians."
Nato has not yet commented on the incident.
Spring offensiveSpring offensive
Nato fears that Taleban violence will escalate in several areas of Afghanistan as the winter snows thaw, with many militants believed to be crossing from Pakistan. A spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial police said eight people were killed and eight injured in the shooting after the convoy attack.
Noor Agha Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, added: "A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of foreign troops and subsequently the soldiers in the convoy fired in self defence resulting in the killing and wounding of some civilians."
An interior ministry official confirmed it knew of the firing. He said no-one had been hurt in the bomb attack.
No information has yet been given on the nationality of the International Security Assistance Force troops killed in fighting in southern Afghanistan or where the clash took place.
Most of the troops in southern Afghanistan are British, with a large presence in Helmand province, or Canadian, with a big contingent in neighbouring Kandahar.
Twenty foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year.Twenty foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year.
Nato fears that Taleban violence will escalate in several areas of Afghanistan as the winter snows thaw.
Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle the expected spring offensive.Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle the expected spring offensive.
The British have a large presence in Helmand province and the Canadians a big contingent in neighbouring Kandahar.
Last Tuesday at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing at the main US base in Afghanistan, Bagram near Kabul, during a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney.Last Tuesday at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing at the main US base in Afghanistan, Bagram near Kabul, during a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney.