Afghanistan: UN investigates mine-clearers ambush

The United Nations is launching an investigation into the killings of seven people working for its mine-clearing programme.

The men were ambushed on Sunday as they drove towards the western city of Herat to spend some time with their families after working for two months in eastern Afghanistan.

The motive of the attack is not clear and the United Nations has said it will take several days to work out exactly what happened.

The BBC Kabul correspondent says both sides in the civil war respect the de-miners, who are seen as risking their lives for their country.

The Taleban, which controls most of the country, has blamed fighters from the opposing Northern Alliance, who -- in turn -- allege that the area of the attack near the town of Kotal-e-Subzak was in the hands of the Taleban.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service