This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5326060.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Kabul suicide bomb hits US convoy Kabul suicide bomb hits US convoy
(about 1 hour later)
A suicide car bombing in Kabul has killed at least 16 people, as Nato chiefs prepare to discuss a plea for more troops for Afghanistan.A suicide car bombing in Kabul has killed at least 16 people, as Nato chiefs prepare to discuss a plea for more troops for Afghanistan.
The attack on a US military convoy occurred near the American embassy, killing two US soldiers and injuring two others, the US military said.The attack on a US military convoy occurred near the American embassy, killing two US soldiers and injuring two others, the US military 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 blast targeted a US military convoy hitting a humvee, a military spokesman told the BBC.The blast targeted a US military convoy hitting a humvee, a military spokesman told the BBC.
British troops have faced fierce resistance in Helmand provinceLocal hospitals told the BBC nearly 30 people had been wounded. 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. MAJOR SUICIDE ATTACKS 28 August 2006: 17 die in bombing in southern province of Helmand3 August 2006: 21 killed in bomb in Kandahar province7 February 2006: 17 die in two attacks in Kandahar and Farah provinces16 January 2006: Two attacks in Kandahar province kill 24 people15 January 2006: Canadian diplomat and 2 Afghan bystanders killed in Kandahar5 January 2006: 10 killed in Tirin Kowt, UruzganSeptember 2005: 12 killed outside Afghan army base in KabulJune 2005: 20 killed in Kandahar mosque href="/1/hi/in_pictures/5326822.stm" class="">In pictures: Afghan violence href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/4714357.stm" class="">Afghan security challenges href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/4177372.stm" class="">Al-Qaeda imports Iraq tactics 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.
Witness Najibullah Faizi, 25, told the Associated Press news agency that he saw a blue car ram one of two armoured vehicles in the convoy.Witness Najibullah Faizi, 25, told the Associated Press news agency that he saw a blue car ram one of two armoured vehicles in the convoy.
"I fell to the ground after the blast. American soldiers started shooting at another car nearby. There was smoke and flames everywhere," he said."I fell to the ground after the blast. American soldiers started shooting at another car nearby. There was smoke and flames everywhere," he said.
A man claiming to be a spokesman for the Taleban told an Afghan news agency that the rebel group was behind the attack. Such claims have not always proved to be reliable, although the Taleban have carried out many attacks in Afghanistan. A man claiming to be a spokesman for the Taleban told an Afghan news agency that the rebel group was behind the attack.
Such claims have not always proved to be reliable, although the Taleban have carried out many attacks in Afghanistan.
There has been a series of suicide bombings across Afghanistan, but such a large explosion in the centre of Kabul is unusual.There has been a series of suicide bombings 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. Also on Friday, four Italian peacekeepers were injured, one seriously, in a roadside explosion near the city of Farah, the Italian defence ministry said.
MAJOR SUICIDE ATTACKS 28 August 2006: 17 die in bombing in southern province of Helmand3 August 2006: 21 killed in bomb in Kandahar province7 February 2006: 17 die in two attacks in Kandahar and Farah provinces16 January 2006: Two attacks in Kandahar province kill 24 people15 January 2006: Canadian diplomat and 2 Afghan bystanders killed in Kandahar5 January 2006: 10 killed in Tirin Kowt, UruzganSeptember 2005: 12 killed outside Afghan army base in KabulJune 2005: 20 killed in Kandahar mosque href="/1/hi/in_pictures/5326822.stm" class="">In pictures: Afghan violence href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/4714357.stm" class="">Afghan security challenges href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/4177372.stm" class="">Al-Qaeda imports Iraq tactics 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 provinceAnd a suicide attacker struck a convoy near the southern city of Kandahar, although only the bomber died.
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. The violence comes as Nato commanders seek reinforcements as forces carry out Operation Medusa, a major offensive against Taleban militants in southern Afghanistan.
One Nato official told the BBC the mission in Afghanistan was the most testing in the organisation's history. The operation is the biggest in the area since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July.
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.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond says the meeting in Warsaw will present commanders with an opportunity to re-assess their tactics in the campaign. 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 href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3582&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5140380.stm" class="">Quick guide: Afghanistan News of the latest violence came as the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said his troops faced an "intensity and ferocity" of fighting that was "for greater" than that faced by British troops serving in Iraq.
'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.
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
Gen Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day and at times faced hand-to-hand combat.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," he told ITV News.
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.
NATO-LED FORCE (ISAF) Total troops: 18,500UK (command): 5,400 Germany: 2,600 Canada: 2,500 Netherlands: 2,300 US: 2,050 Italy: 1,250France: 1,000 Contributing nations: 37 Numbers show contributions as of 21 Aug. Troop numbers on the ground fluctuate. href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5319310.stm" class="">Canadian losses mount href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5313376.stm" class="">Nato mission under pressure 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.
"We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium. NATO-LED FORCE (ISAF) Total troops: 18,500UK (command): 5,400 Germany: 2,600 Canada: 2,500 Netherlands: 2,300 US: 2,050 Italy: 1,250France: 1,000 Contributing nations: 37 Numbers show contributions as of 21 Aug. Troop numbers on the ground fluctuate. href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5319310.stm" class="">Canadian losses mount href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/5313376.stm" class="">Nato mission under pressure "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, who said some member states should consider offering more help.
"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. "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.
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.
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.Have you been affected by this incident? Did you witness the blast? Send us your comments using the form below.
Name
 Name