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US troops kill Afghan civilians US troops kill Afghan civilians
(10 minutes later)
An incident described by US forces in Afghanistan as a "complex ambush" has left 16 dead, including civilians. An incident described by US forces in Afghanistan as a "complex ambush" has left 16 civilians dead.
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.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.
The killing of the civilians has reportedly sparked a protest by thousands of local people.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 US military said a minibus containing explosives was driven at the convoy, injuring one soldier.The US military said a minibus containing explosives was driven at the convoy, injuring one soldier.
US troops were then attacked from several directions and returned fire in defence of the patrol.US troops were then attacked from several directions and returned fire in defence of the patrol.
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.
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.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.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.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.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.