1 Aug 2010

Afghan roadside bomb kills six

7:01 pm on 1 August 2010

Six civilians have been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, as civilian casualties continue to mount amid an increase in violence by insurgents.

Nine civilians were wounded in the blast, which hit their vehicle on the western edge of Kandahar city.

Roadside bombs are a favourite weapon for Taliban insurgents in their campaign against foreign forces and the Afghan government, but civilians often fall prey to such attacks.

According to government figures at least 40 non-combatants were killed in various parts of the country last week.