Afghan official: Blast kills 20 civilians
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Afghan official says an explosion has killed 20 civilians in Kandahar, the largest city in the country's south.
Javid Faisal, a spokesman for Kandahar province, says at least 22 others were wounded in Wednesday's blast, which occurred in a market area several kilometers from Kandahar Air Field. The massive military installation is used by the U.S.-led coalition.
The spokesman says the explosives were placed in a vehicle in an area where shopkeepers sell logistical supplies for the military base.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan police say two civilians have been killed in a nighttime raid by NATO troops against militants holed up in a village in eastern Afghanistan.
A NATO forces spokesman says no civilians were killed in Wednesday's pre-dawn operation in Logar province's Baraki Barak district.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Maj. Martyn Crighton says the force included both international and Afghan troops. The troops came under fire while trying to capture a local Taliban leader and called in an airstrike. He says two women were wounded and were taken to a military base for treatment.
Hower, Logar provincial police chief Gen. Ghulam Sakhi Roogh Lawanay says the operation killed 12 militants, including the district Taliban commander.
He says that two civilians — a woman and a child — were also among the dead.