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German troops die in Afghanistan German troops die in Afghanistan
(about 6 hours later)
Three German soldiers were among seven people killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan, local police have said. Three German soldiers were among nine people killed in a suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan.
At least 14 people were also injured in the blast which happened when the troops were conducting a foot patrol in Kunduz city. At least 14 people were injured in the blast which happened when the troops were conducting a foot patrol in Kunduz city, in the province of the same name.
Two Germans were among the injured, police chief Gen Nur Mohammad said. An Afghan interpreter working with the troops was among those killed, and two Germans were among the injured.
About 3,000 German troops are based in northern Afghanistan as part of the Nato force in the country. About 3,000 German troops are based in northern Afghanistan as part of the Nato forces in the country.
Maj John Thomas, a spokesman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), confirmed that there had been an attack in Kunduz, with a number of Isaf personnel killed or injured. Witnesses say a suicide bomber on foot targeted the German patrol as they walked through a shopping district in the city.
An Afghan interpreter working with the German troops was also killed in the attack.
Witnesses say a suicide bomber on foot targeted the German patrol as they walked through a shopping district in the centre of the city.
"Suddenly we heard a big sound. We were frightened," Aziz, a shopkeeper, was quoted by Reuters as saying. "We saw very thick smoke and people rushing to escape.""Suddenly we heard a big sound. We were frightened," Aziz, a shopkeeper, was quoted by Reuters as saying. "We saw very thick smoke and people rushing to escape."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "These perfidious murders fill us all with disgust and horror."
She expressed her "deepest sympathies" to the relatives of the German and Afghan victims, but said such incidents would not deter Germany from its reconstruction mission.
US troops hurtUS troops hurt
On 16 April, a Taleban suicide bomber attacked a group of policemen doing morning exercises in Kunduz, killing nine and injuring 25.On 16 April, a Taleban suicide bomber attacked a group of policemen doing morning exercises in Kunduz, killing nine and injuring 25.
However, the north of Afghanistan where the German troops are operating has been spared much of the violence of the Taleban insurgency that is taking place in the south and east of the country.However, the north of Afghanistan where the German troops are operating has been spared much of the violence of the Taleban insurgency that is taking place in the south and east of the country.
In a separate incident, four US troops were reportedly injured when their vehicle rolled down a steep slope after a failed suicide car bomb attack in Khost, in the south-east of the country.In a separate incident, four US troops were reportedly injured when their vehicle rolled down a steep slope after a failed suicide car bomb attack in Khost, in the south-east of the country.
A suicide bomber had driven into their convoy, but his explosives had failed to go off, the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul said. A suicide bomber had driven into their convoy, but his explosives failed to go off, the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul said.
The accident happened as the vehicles rushed away from the scene, our correspondent reported.
Lengthy gun battleLengthy gun battle
And in the eastern province of Paktia, near the Pakistan border, coalition troops and Afghan security forces clashed with Taleban militants late on Friday in a gun battle which lasted several hours.And in the eastern province of Paktia, near the Pakistan border, coalition troops and Afghan security forces clashed with Taleban militants late on Friday in a gun battle which lasted several hours.
Afghan army officials said more than 60 insurgents were killed in the fighting, though this has not been verified. No coalition or government forces were reported injured.Afghan army officials said more than 60 insurgents were killed in the fighting, though this has not been verified. No coalition or government forces were reported injured.
Paktia province has been the scene of frequent violence involving the Taleban, the radical Islamist group toppled from power after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.Paktia province has been the scene of frequent violence involving the Taleban, the radical Islamist group toppled from power after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
The Taleban are threatening to increase their attacks following the killing of their top military commander Mullah Dadullah a week ago.The Taleban are threatening to increase their attacks following the killing of their top military commander Mullah Dadullah a week ago.
Dadullah was killed in an operation by the US-led coalition, supported by Isaf, in Helmand province.Dadullah was killed in an operation by the US-led coalition, supported by Isaf, in Helmand province.
Dadullah's name had been linked with the beheading of suspected spies, controlling the guerrilla war in Helmand Province, dispatching suicide bombers and the kidnapping of Westerners. Dadullah's name had been linked with the beheading of suspected spies, controlling the guerrilla war in Helmand province, dispatching suicide bombers and the kidnapping of Westerners.