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Two children die in Afghan attack Two children die in Afghan attack
(about 1 hour later)
Two children have been killed and several British soldiers hurt in a suicide attack in Afghanistan. Two suicide attacks in Afghanistan have left two children and one policemen dead and a number of British soldiers hurt, officials say.
Witnesses said the bomber threw himself at a Nato vehicle in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. The children died when a bomber tried to attack a Nato vehicle in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province.
The MoD said there had been no British fatalities, but "a small number" had been injured. A Nato spokesman said three of its troops were hurt. UK officials said "a small number" of British troops had been injured.
The policeman died in an attack in Khost province. The Taleban and their allies have been blamed for a rise in the number of suicide attacks.
'Children martyred'
The explosion in Lashkar Gah took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound.
Officials said the attacker was on foot and threw himself at the Nato convoy of British troops.
If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us - it will be a breeding ground for terrorists again Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary general
"A suicide bomber detonated targeting Nato troops," the interior ministry in the Afghan capital, Kabul, told the AFP news agency.
"The suicide bomber has died, seven civilians have been wounded, two civilian children have been martyred."
Nato officials said three British soldiers were wounded.
Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.
The explosion took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound. The BBC's Alastair Leithead says Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, has generally been one of the safest areas in the province.
Tony Blair's official spokesman said: "Clearly, our thoughts are with the injured troops and the families of the Afghan children who were killed." The official spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Clearly, our thoughts are with the injured troops and the families of the Afghan children who were killed."
However, he insisted that, despite the attack, "we are making real progress in Afghanistan".However, he insisted that, despite the attack, "we are making real progress in Afghanistan".
If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us - it will be a breeding ground for terrorists again Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary general In eastern Khost province one policeman was killed when a suicide attacker threw himself at a convoy of police cars, officials said.
The MoD said: "We can confirm that a small number of UK soldiers have been injured in an explosion in Lashkar Gah. 'Do not forget'
"There are no reports of British fatalities."
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer - secretary general of Nato - stressed the need for a presence in Afghanistan.Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer - secretary general of Nato - stressed the need for a presence in Afghanistan.
He said: "Do not forget where the country came from.He said: "Do not forget where the country came from.
"We are there to defend our basic values, the basic values which guide UK society, Dutch society, Belgian society. If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us. It will be a breeding ground for terrorists again. Do not forget 9/11."We are there to defend our basic values, the basic values which guide UK society, Dutch society, Belgian society. If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us. It will be a breeding ground for terrorists again. Do not forget 9/11.
"Do not forget other terrorist attacks. And, being in London now, I do know what it means. Britain has been a victim of this.""Do not forget other terrorist attacks. And, being in London now, I do know what it means. Britain has been a victim of this."
The BBC's Alastair Leithead said Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, was generally one of the safest areas in the province. On Wednesday reports said that up to 21 civilians had died during two Nato operations.