An explosion tore through a group of children gathered around soldiers visiting a U.S.-funded road project, killing four of the children and a policeman and wounding scores, including at least three U.S. troops, officials said.
The Afghan Interior Ministry said the blast in Nangahar Province in eastern Afghanistan occurred when a police vehicle hit a mine.
The death of civilians, especially children, is an increasingly sensitive issue in the Afghanistan conflict. On Wednesday, the independent human rights watchdog group Afghanistan Rights Monitor said more than 1,050 children under 18 died last year in war-related incidents.
LEEWAY ASKED ON TALIBAN AFGHANISTAN ASKED THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL TO LIFT SANCTIONS ON ELEMENTS OF THE TALIBAN THAT RENOUNCE VIOLENCE AND AGREE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT, SIGNALING A NEW STRATEGY AGAINST THE MILITANTS.
Afghan Ambassador Zahir Tanin proposed allowing his government to recommend names of Taliban members "willing to renounce violence and join the peace process," so that they would no longer be subject to asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes if the council's sanctions panel approves.
Tanin said Afghans are ready to take over their own security and defense, but military efforts cannot bring peace and stability without reconciliation among all citizens and integration of former combatants.
'HORRIBLE DAY' ON IRAQI ROADS
A van carrying an extended Iraqi family collided with a U.S. armored personnel carrier south of Baghdad, killing five Iraqis and wounding at least 10 people, including three American soldiers, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.
Iraqi witnesses said the U.S. vehicle -- and the convoy it was traveling in -- was on the wrong side of the road.
U.S. Army Maj. Chris Reese said the convoy was rounding a curve and had swung wide to go around an Iraqi checkpoint at a designated place. He said the soldiers were distraught at the civilian deaths.
