At least 20 civilians and an American soldier have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack against a US convoy in eastern Afghanistan, officials said.
US officials say at least 18 civilians and a US soldier have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack against a US convoy in eastern Afghanistan.
The attack happened at a market near Jalalabad, the capital of the eastern Nangarhar province.
The attack happened at a market near Jalalabad, the capital of the eastern Nangarhar province.
At least 67 others have been wounded and taken to hospital, officials said.
At least 15 others were wounded, a US military spokesman told the BBC.
A large number of foreign and Afghan troops are battling the Taleban in the south and east of the country and are routinely targeted by the militants.
A large number of foreign and Afghan troops are battling the Taleban in the south and east of the country and are routinely targeted by the militants.
Earlier reports suggested that 20 civilians had been killed and 67 wounded.
Correspondents say that the insurgency has been gaining more ground in Afghanistan, where the central government remains weak and the foreign forces are under-resourced.
Correspondents say that the insurgency has been gaining more ground in Afghanistan, where the central government remains weak and the foreign forces are under-resourced.
Busy market
Busy market
The attacker detonated an explosives-laden vehicle close to the convoy outside Jalalabad.
The attacker detonated an explosives-laden vehicle close to the convoy outside Jalalabad.
Local governor Khaibar Mohmand said the number of casualties could rise.
Local governor Khaibar Mohmand said the number of casualties could rise.
The incident took place near a wholesale fresh fruit market and an animal market in an area often packed with people.
The incident took place near a wholesale fresh fruit market and an animal market in an area often packed with people.
A photographer for the Associated Press news agency at the scene said that a US military vehicle, two civilian vehicles and two rickshaws were destroyed in the blast.
A photographer for the Associated Press news agency at the scene said that a US military vehicle, two civilian vehicles and two rickshaws were destroyed in the blast.
"One American soldier was wounded in the bombing and he died during transportation," Major John Redfield, a spokesman for the US-led coalition, told the AFP news agency.
"One American soldier was wounded in the bombing and he died during transportation," Major John Redfield, a spokesman for the US-led coalition, told the AFP news agency.
There are currently 33,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
There are currently 33,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
US President George W Bush has announced that about 4,500 more soldiers would be sent to Afghanistan early next year.
US President George W Bush has announced that about 4,500 more soldiers would be sent to Afghanistan early next year.
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