A bomb exploded near a convoy of Canadian troops travelling along a highway in southern Afghanistan today, slightly injuring two soldiers and destroying their vehicle.

FIGHTING intensified in Afghanistan over the weekend after security forces surrounded Taliban fighters hiding in a village, launching a gun battle that killed at least three militants and a police officer.

A roadside bomb blast killed four Canadian soldiers today in southern Afghanistan in the deadliest attack against Canadian forces since they deployed here in 2002, the military said.