10 security guards killed by Afghanistan blast

Two roadside bombs tore through a convoy carrying private security guards, killing 10 of them in eastern Afghanistan, an official confirmed today.

The convoy was initially hit by a blast that killed one security guard yesterday.

A second improvised explosive device then ripped through the convoy and killed nine guards in another vehicle in Paktia province's Chamkani district.

The guards were based with US troops in the area.

The attack came as 11 Taliban militants were killed in a joint operation by coalition and Afghan troops in southern Afghanistan.

Coalition and Afghan troops attacked the militants in a compound last night in southern Zabul province. No coalition or Afghan forces were killed or wounded in the operation.