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Several dead in Kabul bomb blast Kabul suicide bomb hits US convoy
(10 minutes 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 suicide car bomb in Kabul has killed at least 10 people, 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 on a US military convoy occurred near the American embassy, killing two US soldiers. At least eight other people were killed, police said.
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 blast targeted a US military convoy hitting a humvee, a military spokesman told the BBC. Two US soldiers were injured, he said.
Local hospitals told the BBC nearly 30 people had been wounded.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead at the scene said debris and body parts had been scattered over a wide area by the force of the blast which was felt across the city.
There has been a spate of suicide attacks in mounting violence across Afghanistan, but such a large explosion in the centre of Kabul is unusual.
'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. British troops have faced fierce resistance in Helmand provinceMore 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 mission 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. The BBC's Jonny Dymond 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.
'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: AfghanistanWe 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. Gen Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day and at times faced hand-to-hand combat.
"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," he 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.
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 pressureCanadian 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
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.
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.
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