Nine civilians were killed today in a roadside mine blast in southern Afghanistan, an Afghan official said.
Four women and three children were among those who died in the blast early this morning, Kandahar provincial government spokesman Zalmai Ayoubi said.
Eight other people were wounded and taken to a hospital run by Nato troops in the southern province.
Violence has increased in Afghanistan’s volatile south in recent weeks as Taliban insurgents step up attacks ahead of a planned major operation by Nato forces to secure the main city of Kandahar.
AP
