At least five civilians have been killed in southern Afghanistan during a protest against a US church’s burning of the Muslim holy book.

The governor’s office of Kandahar province said today that the death toll has risen to 16 in a Taliban attack on the police headquarters in southern Afghanistan.

Insurgents launched a ground attack on Nato’s largest base in southern Afghanistan today, but did not breach its defences, officials said.

A minibus packed with civilians struck a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan early today, killing six on board and wounding nine, officials said.

A minibus full of civilians struck a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan early today, killing six on board.