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| Kabul suicide bomber kills five | Kabul suicide bomber kills five |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| At least four Afghan civilians and a British soldier have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Nato convoy in the capital, Kabul, officials say. | At least four Afghan civilians and a British soldier have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Nato convoy in the capital, Kabul, officials say. |
| At least three UK soldiers and four civilians were hurt in the blast on the Kabul-Jalabadad road. | At least three UK soldiers and four civilians were hurt in the blast on the Kabul-Jalabadad road. |
| Separately, a Canadian soldier has been killed and several others wounded in a so-called "friendly fire" incident. | Separately, a Canadian soldier has been killed and several others wounded in a so-called "friendly fire" incident. |
| The deaths come amid a major offensive against the Taleban. The UK lost 14 troops in a plane crash on Saturday. | The deaths come amid a major offensive against the Taleban. The UK lost 14 troops in a plane crash on Saturday. |
| Initial reports from Afghan police said two British soldiers had been killed in the Kabul bombing, but in a later statement the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said one soldier had died and another was very seriously injured. | Initial reports from Afghan police said two British soldiers had been killed in the Kabul bombing, but in a later statement the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said one soldier had died and another was very seriously injured. |
| An Afghan interior ministry spokesman told Reuters news agency the suicide bomber had rammed his car into the Nato convoy. | An Afghan interior ministry spokesman told Reuters news agency the suicide bomber had rammed his car into the Nato convoy. |
| Operation Medusa | Operation Medusa |
| The friendly fire death happened at dawn as Nato troops battled Taleban insurgents in the Panjwayi district west of Kandahar. | The friendly fire death happened at dawn as Nato troops battled Taleban insurgents in the Panjwayi district west of Kandahar. |
| Who are the militants? Quick guide: Afghanistan | Who are the militants? Quick guide: Afghanistan |
| The soldiers called in air support and two Nato aircraft responded, but fired cannon at their own soldiers during a strafing run. Several soldiers were wounded. | The soldiers called in air support and two Nato aircraft responded, but fired cannon at their own soldiers during a strafing run. Several soldiers were wounded. |
| About 2,000 Nato and Afghan soldiers are involved in Operation Medusa in southern Afghanistan. | About 2,000 Nato and Afghan soldiers are involved in Operation Medusa in southern Afghanistan. |
| It is the biggest military operation in southern Afghanistan since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July. | It is the biggest military operation in southern Afghanistan since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July. |
| It is concentrated on the Panjwayi area, about 35km (20 miles) west of Kandahar city, which has seen months of fighting. | It is concentrated on the Panjwayi area, about 35km (20 miles) west of Kandahar city, which has seen months of fighting. |
| More than 200 Taleban fighters and four Canadian soldiers with the Nato forces were killed in the operation over the weekend, Nato said. | More than 200 Taleban fighters and four Canadian soldiers with the Nato forces were killed in the operation over the weekend, Nato said. |
| Our ultimate goal... is to secure more stability in order that development and governance can take place Mark Laity,Nato href="/1/hi/uk/5312356.stm" class="">UK soldier killed | |
| An Afghan defence ministry spokesman put the suspected Taleban losses at 89, and said a number of civilians had also died. | An Afghan defence ministry spokesman put the suspected Taleban losses at 89, and said a number of civilians had also died. |
| Nato spokesman Mark Laity told the BBC that Nato forces were currently undergoing a period of "intense combat", particularly in the south of the country. | Nato spokesman Mark Laity told the BBC that Nato forces were currently undergoing a period of "intense combat", particularly in the south of the country. |
| But he said forces were "not fighting for fighting's sake". | But he said forces were "not fighting for fighting's sake". |
| "Our ultimate goal is still the same as when we came - which is to secure more stability in order that development and governance can take place." | "Our ultimate goal is still the same as when we came - which is to secure more stability in order that development and governance can take place." |
| Police killed | Police killed |
| On Monday, police in southern Afghanistan said they had beaten off an attack by Taleban rebels on local government headquarters in the town of Garmser in Helmand province. | On Monday, police in southern Afghanistan said they had beaten off an attack by Taleban rebels on local government headquarters in the town of Garmser in Helmand province. |
| Large numbers of troops are involved in Operation Medusa | Large numbers of troops are involved in Operation Medusa |
| The town's police chief said 16 Taleban fighters had died in the attack. Three policeman were also killed during several hours of fighting. | The town's police chief said 16 Taleban fighters had died in the attack. Three policeman were also killed during several hours of fighting. |
| In a separate incident, two police including a senior officer were killed in an ambush near Kabul, the Afghan officials said. | In a separate incident, two police including a senior officer were killed in an ambush near Kabul, the Afghan officials said. |
| The attack took place late on Sunday in Parwan province about 30km (18 miles) north of the capital. | The attack took place late on Sunday in Parwan province about 30km (18 miles) north of the capital. |
| There have been many suicide bombings in Afghanistan this year, but they are quite rare in Kabul. | There have been many suicide bombings in Afghanistan this year, but they are quite rare in Kabul. |
| A total of 124 people were killed in suicide attacks in Afghanistan up to 12 August this year, according to a statement issued by the US-led coalition forces operating in Afghanistan. | A total of 124 people were killed in suicide attacks in Afghanistan up to 12 August this year, according to a statement issued by the US-led coalition forces operating in Afghanistan. |
| The statement said 84% of the people killed in these attacks were civilians. | The statement said 84% of the people killed in these attacks were civilians. |
| Afghanistan is going through its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001. Hundreds of people have been killed this year as militants and troops have fought fierce battles in the south and east. | Afghanistan is going through its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001. Hundreds of people have been killed this year as militants and troops have fought fierce battles in the south and east. |