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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Several dead in Kabul bomb blast | Several dead in Kabul bomb blast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A suspected car bomb has killed several people in Kabul, as Nato chiefs are due to discuss a plea for more troops for Afghanistan. | A suspected car bomb has killed several people in Kabul, as Nato chiefs are due to discuss a plea for more troops for Afghanistan. |
| The attack occurred near the American embassy and two US soldiers were among at least seven people that police said had been killed in the explosion. | The attack occurred near the American embassy and two US soldiers were among at least seven people that police said had been killed in the explosion. |
| It came as Nato generals gathered in Poland for talks on additional troops. | It came as Nato generals gathered in Poland for talks on additional troops. |
| Nato forces in southern Afghanistan are facing fierce Taleban resistance and mounting casualties. | Nato forces in southern Afghanistan are facing fierce Taleban resistance and mounting casualties. |
| The Kabul blast targeted a US military convoy, police and US officials said. Debris and body parts have been scattered over a wide area. | The Kabul blast targeted a US military convoy, police and US officials said. Debris and body parts have been scattered over a wide area. |
| 'Major operation' | 'Major operation' |
| The blast comes amid a major offensive by Nato troops against Taleban militants in southern Afghanistan. | The blast comes amid a major offensive by Nato troops against Taleban militants in southern Afghanistan. |
| More than 20 Taleban fighters were killed in a major ongoing operation by Nato and Afghan soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, a Nato statement said. | More than 20 Taleban fighters were killed in a major ongoing operation by Nato and Afghan soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, a Nato statement said. |
| Operation Medusa is the biggest military operation there since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July. | Operation Medusa is the biggest military operation there since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July. |
| One Nato official told the BBC the operation in Afghanistan was the most testing in the organisation's history. | One Nato official told the BBC the operation in Afghanistan was the most testing in the organisation's history. |
| 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. |
| Our correspondent says the meeting in Warsaw will present commanders with an opportunity to re-assess their tactics in the campaign. | Our correspondent says the meeting in Warsaw will present commanders with an opportunity to re-assess their tactics in the campaign. |
| Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said some members are not doing enough. | Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said some members are not doing enough. |
| 'Can do more' | 'Can do more' |
| News of the latest violence came as the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said British troops in south Afghanistan faced combat more intense than those serving in Iraq. | News of the latest violence came as the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said British troops in south Afghanistan faced combat more intense than those serving in Iraq. |
| We are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics Gen James Jones Send us your comments Quick guide: Afghanistan | We are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics Gen James Jones Send us your comments Quick guide: Afghanistan |
| Brigadier Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day but their morale remained high. | Brigadier Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day but their morale remained high. |
| "The intensity and ferocity of the fighting is far greater than in Iraq on a daily basis," Brig Butler told ITV News. | "The intensity and ferocity of the fighting is far greater than in Iraq on a daily basis," Brig Butler told ITV News. |
| He said British forces had been involved in "fighting that is up close and personal" that at times included hand-to-hand combat. | He said British forces had been involved in "fighting that is up close and personal" that at times included hand-to-hand combat. |
| Nato's top commander, Gen James Jones, on Thursday said the alliance had been taken aback by the scale of violence in the region. | Nato's top commander, Gen James Jones, on Thursday said the alliance had been taken aback by the scale of violence in the region. |
| But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against the insurgents. | But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against the insurgents. |
| Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said. | Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said. |
| Canadian losses mount Who are the militants? Nato mission under pressure | Canadian losses mount Who are the militants? Nato mission under pressure |
| "We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium. | "We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium. |
| His comments were echoed by Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. | His comments were echoed by Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. |
| "Those allies who perhaps are doing less in Afghanistan should think: 'Shouldn't we do more?' There are certainly a number of allies who can do more," he told reporters in Brussels. | "Those allies who perhaps are doing less in Afghanistan should think: 'Shouldn't we do more?' There are certainly a number of allies who can do more," he told reporters in Brussels. |
| Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US in July. | Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US in July. |
| Urgently needed | Urgently needed |
| BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the general's comments are a blunt recognition that Nato commanders do not have the resources they need. | BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the general's comments are a blunt recognition that Nato commanders do not have the resources they need. |
| Many analysts believe there were serious shortcomings in the intelligence assessments that established the initial mission, and that harder fighting was to be expected. | Many analysts believe there were serious shortcomings in the intelligence assessments that established the initial mission, and that harder fighting was to be expected. |
| What is urgently needed, our correspondent says, is a battle group of several hundred men with reconnaissance and support elements which would give commanders the flexibility they say they need. | What is urgently needed, our correspondent says, is a battle group of several hundred men with reconnaissance and support elements which would give commanders the flexibility they say they need. |
| But even if this reinforcement is forthcoming, many analysts are still sceptical that Nato can achieve its wider goals in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds. | But even if this reinforcement is forthcoming, many analysts are still sceptical that Nato can achieve its wider goals in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds. |
| The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when they were toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington. | The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when they were toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington. |
| Have you been affected by this incident? Did you witness the blast? Send us your comments using the form below. | |