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Nato firing 'kills eight Afghans' Coalition 'kills eight Afghans'
(about 3 hours later)
Coalition troops in Afghanistan have opened fire after a suicide bomb attack on a convoy, killing eight civilians, Afghan authorities have said.Coalition troops in Afghanistan have opened fire after a suicide bomb attack on a convoy, killing eight civilians, Afghan authorities have said.
The incident occurred when the bomber struck a military vehicle on the main road linking the eastern city of Jalalabad with the Pakistan border. 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.
Neither the US military nor Nato has yet commented on the incident. Thousands of people are reported to have gathered in protest.
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
A spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial police said eight people were killed and eight injured in the shooting after the convoy attack. 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.
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." 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.
An interior ministry official confirmed it knew of the firing. He said no-one had been hurt in the bomb attack. Our correspondent says hundreds, and possibly thousands, of demonstrators then gathered in protest, clashing with Afghan police.
He says there have been a number of 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.