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Suicide bomb hits British convoy Suicide bomb hits British convoy
(about 1 hour later)
A suicide bomber has targeted a British patrol convoy in Lashkar Gah in Afghanistan, the BBC has learned. Several British soldiers have been hurt in a suicide attack in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Eyewitnesses say there may be some injured British troops and one of the vehicles in the convoy is on fire. Witnesses said the bomber threw himself at a Nato vehicle in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province.
A military spokesman said there had been no British casualties reported, although there may be injuries. There are thought to be Afghan casualties. There were reports that two Nato personnel were killed. The MoD said there had been no British fatalities, but "a small number" had been injured.
Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.Helmand province has seen increased violence between insurgents and Nato-led and Afghan forces this year.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead said Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, was generally one of the safest areas in the province.
The explosion took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound.The explosion took place in the town centre, near the governor's compound.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "We are aware of reports of an incident and we are investigating." If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us - it will be a breeding ground for terrorists again Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary general
The MoD said: "We can confirm that a small number of UK soldiers have been injured in an explosion in Lashkar Gah.
"There are no reports of British fatalities."
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer - secretary general of Nato - stressed the need for a presence in Afghanistan.
He said: "Do not forget where the country came from.
"We are there to defend our basic values, the basic values which guide UK society, Dutch society, Belgian society. If we fail again, then Afghanistan will come to us. It will be a breeding ground for terrorists again. Do not forget 9/11.
"Do not forget other terrorist attacks. And, being in London now, I do know what it means. Britain has been a victim of this."
The BBC's Alastair Leithead said Lashkar Gah, in the south of Helmand, was generally one of the safest areas in the province.