Taliban bomb kills 11 Afghans

KANDAHAR (AFP) - A roadside bomb planted by the Taliban killed 11 civilians in Afghanistans southern province of Helmand on Sunday, the provincial administration said.
The dead included two children and two women, provincial governors spokesman Daud Ahmadi told AFP, blaming the militant movement after a car struck the device in Nawzad district, in the north of Helmand.
Thousands of US, NATO and Afghan troops have been pursuing a major offensive against the Taliban in Helmands Marjah and Nad Ali areas since February 13. Helmand is the most troubled region in Afghanistan with the highest level of activity by insurgents, mostly remnants of the Taliban ousted from government by US-led forces in late 2001.
Also on Sunday, one security worker was killed in main Qalat town of Zabul province when his vehicle was hit by a similar bomb, Mohammada Jan, a provincial spokesman said.
Elsewhere in Zabul five insurgents were killed during clashes between Afghan security forces and militants, the spokesman added.