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Coalition 'kills eight Afghans' US troops kill Afghan civilians
(about 2 hours later)
Coalition troops in Afghanistan have opened fire after a suicide bomb attack on a convoy, killing eight civilians, Afghan authorities have said. An incident described by US forces in Afghanistan as a "complex ambush" has left 16 dead, including civilians.
The incident occurred on the main road linking the eastern city of Jalalabad with the Pakistan border. Neither the US military nor Nato has commented. The incident occurred on the road from the eastern city of Jalalabad to Pakistan when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy, sparking a fire fight.
Thousands of people are reported to have gathered in protest. The killing of the civilians has reportedly sparked a protest by thousands of local people.
Separately, Nato said two soldiers had been killed in southern Afghanistan but it has not yet given their nationality.Separately, Nato said two soldiers had been killed in southern Afghanistan but it has not yet given their nationality.
Spring offensiveSpring offensive
The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says the suicide bomber drove a minivan into a US convoy and local people reported that the troops opened fire on civilians in the aftermath of the blast. The US military said a minibus containing explosives was driven at the convoy, injuring one soldier.
Hospitals in the provincial department of health are reporting that a large number of people were injured and there are differing reports as to the number of dead. US troops were then attacked from several directions and returned fire in defence of the patrol.
Our correspondent says hundreds, and possibly thousands, of demonstrators then gathered in protest, clashing with Afghan police. The US forces said they did not know how many people had been killed or injured by their forces, but they were continuing the investigation.
He says there have been a number of demonstrations in the same province, Nangarhar, recently, mainly at opium poppy eradication by government officials. The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says local people reported that the US forces had fired on civilians in the aftermath of the bomb attack.
Thousands of people gathered to demonstrate, protesting at the large number of civilian deaths and blaming the US patrol for shooting passers-by.
Our correspondent says there has been a huge increase in the number of suicide attacks over the past 12 months, but a coordinated ambush is relatively rare.
He says there have also been other demonstrations in the same province, Nangarhar, recently, mainly at opium poppy eradication by government officials.
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.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.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 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.
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.