Two U.S. soldiers killed in Afghan suicide attack

KABUL (Reuters) – Two U.S. soldiers were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in a market in southern Afghanistan, NATO said Friday, adding the Taliban had claimed responsibility.

The attack happened Thursday beside a busy market in the Maywand district of Kandahar province and a district police chief told Reuters three civilians were also killed. NATO-led forces identified one dead civilian.

The attack also wounded 21 civilians.

“The bomber’s target was a busy market. We strongly condemn this attack … This attack shows the real face of the Taliban, who have claimed responsibility for this barbaric action,” General David McKiernan, commander of NATO-led troops in Afghanistan, said in a statement.

NATO forces in Kabul said a Taliban spokesman posted a statement on a website, claiming responsibility.

Kandahar, one of Afghanistan’s most dangerous provinces, is home to the headquarters of NATO-led forces for their operations in the south, where more than 18,000 mainly Canadian, British, Dutch and U.S. troops are locked in a battle against a resurgent Taliban.