20 Killed in Afghan Market Bombing
Nearly 20 people, all civilians, were killed by a suicide bomber who struck a crowded market in Uruzgan province of southern Afghanistan on Thursday, say media reports.
The bombing, the worst in four months, took place at the gates of a crowded money exchange market in the Dihrawud district.
Over a dozen people are also reported to have been wounded in the incident.
A UN study concluded Wednesday that over 2,400 civilians were killed in 2009, making it the deadliest year for ordinary Afghans since the US-led invasion in 2001.
Meanwhile, a police officer was killed and five others were wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive laden car in the neighbouring province of Helmand, confirmed Afghan officials.
No group has claimed responsibility for either of the attacks, believed to have been carried out by the Taliban, the reports added.
