A roadside bomb exploded next to an Afghan army vehicle, killing all six soldiers on board, while a separate bomb and gunfire attack left two Nato soldiers wounded, officials said today.

Suspected Taliban militants ambushed a US-led coalition patrol in southern Afghanistan killing one soldier while another attack on police in the east left two militants and one policeman dead, officials said today.

A ROADSIDE blast ripped through a pickup truck in southern Afghanistan yesterday, killing 14 villagers who were travelling to a provincial capital for holiday celebrations, an official said.

Nato's Secretary-General today said he is saddened by recent deaths of Afghan civilians, and that the alliance is committed to defending democracy in a nation once ruled by the repressive Taliban regime.

A roadside blast ripped through a vehicle in southern Afghanistan today, killing 14 villagers and wounding three as they travelled to a provincial capital for holiday celebrations, an official said.