An Afghan provincial police chief and an official in charge of women’s affairs were killed in separate attacks today – the latest victims of a campaign of targeted killings against government officials.

Nato officials have expressed their regret after civilians were killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan which was targeting known insurgents.

A Nato airstrike killed eight women and girls who were out gathering firewood before dawn today in a remote region in the east of Afghanistan, government officials have said.

Afghan government representatives have met with a top-ranking Taliban member in his prison cell in Pakistan, an official said, suggesting a small step toward reopening stalled peace talks with the insurgent group.