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Afghan suicide bomber 'kills 18' Afghanistan suicide bomb kills 18
(about 8 hours later)
At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion near a governor's office and mosque in southern Afghanistan, Afghan officials say. At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion near a governor's office and mosque in southern Afghanistan.
A suicide bomber was stopped at a checkpoint in the town of Lashkar Gah in volatile Helmand province, when he triggered his device, officials said.A suicide bomber was stopped at a checkpoint in the town of Lashkar Gah in volatile Helmand province, when he triggered his device, officials said.
Separately, a bomb placed under a bridge has struck a convoy of Nato-led troops in the Afghan capital, Kabul.Separately, a bomb placed under a bridge has struck a convoy of Nato-led troops in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
A Nato soldier - thought to be Italian - and an Afghan child were killed. A Nato soldier, named as Corporal Giorgio Langella, and an Afghan child were killed.
Nato's mission in Afghanistan, Isaf, said five soldiers were injured in the blast, along with five Afghan civilians.Nato's mission in Afghanistan, Isaf, said five soldiers were injured in the blast, along with five Afghan civilians.
It is thought they were travelling in a vehicle behind the Nato convoy when the explosion happened.It is thought they were travelling in a vehicle behind the Nato convoy when the explosion happened.
Pilgrims hurtPilgrims hurt
The attack in Lashkar Gah took place at the first ring of security outside the compound housing the governor of Helmand province, Mohammed Daoud Safi.The attack in Lashkar Gah took place at the first ring of security outside the compound housing the governor of Helmand province, Mohammed Daoud Safi.
MAJOR RECENT ATTACKS 22 Sept: 19 workers die as their bus is bombed and shot at in Kandahar province18 Sept: In Herat motorcycle bomber kills at least 10 people8 Sept: Suicide car bomb in Kabul kills two US soldiers and 14 others28 Aug: 17 die in bombing in southern province of Helmand3 Aug: 21 killed in bomb in Kandahar provinceMAJOR RECENT ATTACKS 22 Sept: 19 workers die as their bus is bombed and shot at in Kandahar province18 Sept: In Herat motorcycle bomber kills at least 10 people8 Sept: Suicide car bomb in Kabul kills two US soldiers and 14 others28 Aug: 17 die in bombing in southern province of Helmand3 Aug: 21 killed in bomb in Kandahar province
He was inside the compound and not hurt in the blast, police said.He was inside the compound and not hurt in the blast, police said.
"This was a suicide attack. A man carrying explosives attached to his body was stopped by police at a control point and then activated his bomb," police General Mohammad Nabi Mullahkhail told the AFP news agency."This was a suicide attack. A man carrying explosives attached to his body was stopped by police at a control point and then activated his bomb," police General Mohammad Nabi Mullahkhail told the AFP news agency.
He said three of the dead were police officers.He said three of the dead were police officers.
It was reported that 12 were civilians and another three from the Afghan army. It was reported that 12 were civilians and another three were from the Afghan army.
At least 17 people were injured in the attack.At least 17 people were injured in the attack.
Many of the victims were Afghan pilgrims seeking permission to travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, a spokesman said.Many of the victims were Afghan pilgrims seeking permission to travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, a spokesman said.
Presidents arguePresidents argue
Tuesday's attacks came on the day that US President George W Bush was due to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai. On Wednesday they will hold a trilateral dinner with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at the White House.Tuesday's attacks came on the day that US President George W Bush was due to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai. On Wednesday they will hold a trilateral dinner with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at the White House.
Suicide bombings are becoming more common and more deadlySuicide bombings are becoming more common and more deadly
Mr Bush insisted at the weekend that "America and its allies will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan as they defend their democratic gains."Mr Bush insisted at the weekend that "America and its allies will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan as they defend their democratic gains."
But the two South Asian leaders are still blaming each other for the resurgence of extremism and violence in their region, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in the US.But the two South Asian leaders are still blaming each other for the resurgence of extremism and violence in their region, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in the US.
Mr Karzai said Pakistan must crack down on hardline Islamist schools, since "there will not be an end to terrorism unless we remove the sources of hatred in madrassas and the training grounds".Mr Karzai said Pakistan must crack down on hardline Islamist schools, since "there will not be an end to terrorism unless we remove the sources of hatred in madrassas and the training grounds".
General Musharraf fired back that Mr Karzai needed to wean his people away from Taleban Islamists, and "the sooner Mr President Karzai understands his own country's environment, the easier it will be for him".General Musharraf fired back that Mr Karzai needed to wean his people away from Taleban Islamists, and "the sooner Mr President Karzai understands his own country's environment, the easier it will be for him".
Insurgency growingInsurgency growing
Afghanistan is suffering its worst violence since the Islamist Taleban government was removed five years ago.Afghanistan is suffering its worst violence since the Islamist Taleban government was removed five years ago.
Taleban guerrillas have stepped up their insurgency with attacks both on civilians and security forces, whether Afghan or foreign.Taleban guerrillas have stepped up their insurgency with attacks both on civilians and security forces, whether Afghan or foreign.
Nineteen construction workers were killed as their bus was bombed and fired upon in Kandahar province last Friday.Nineteen construction workers were killed as their bus was bombed and fired upon in Kandahar province last Friday.
Earlier this month, a suicide car bombing in Kabul killed at least 16 people.Earlier this month, a suicide car bombing in Kabul killed at least 16 people.
On 28 August a huge suicide blast killed 17 people and tore apart a crowded bazaar in Lashkar Gah, the main town in southern Helmand province, where the renewed insurgency is at its fiercest.On 28 August a huge suicide blast killed 17 people and tore apart a crowded bazaar in Lashkar Gah, the main town in southern Helmand province, where the renewed insurgency is at its fiercest.
Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission in the south a month ago.Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission in the south a month ago.