Canadians hurt in Afghan attack

Canadians are serving under Nato command

Six Canadian soldiers have been wounded in a mortar attack in southern Afghanistan, Canadian officials say.

A Canadian military spokesman blamed Tuesday evening's attack in Kandahar province on Taleban forces.

About 2,000 Canadian soldiers are based in Kandahar, as part of the Nato-led international force in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile US-led and Afghan security forces say they have raided two suspected al-Qaeda compounds in eastern Afghanistan and arrested eight people.

'Not life-threatening'

The Canadian patrol came under mortar attack in Zhari district, about 25km (15 miles) west of Kandahar, military spokesman John Nethercott told AFP news agency.

Eight suspected terrorists were taken into custody during the operations US military statement Canadians struggle with Afghan role

"During that attack, six Canadian soldiers were injured. None of the injuries is life-threatening."

In Khost province, another hotbed of insurgency, pre-dawn raids were carried out near the villages of Paru Kheyl and Jabeh in Yaqubi district, the US military said.

Weapons, explosives and communications equipment were seized, a statement said. Several women and children were present in one of the compounds.

"During each operation, the assault forces requested a peaceful surrender of people within the compounds," the statement said.

"Eight suspected terrorists were taken into custody during the operations, five in Paru Kheyl and three in Jabeh."

Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants have mounted a series of attacks in Afghanistan in recent months.

The Nato peacekeeping force is intended to help extend government control across the country, but is increasingly occupied with fighting militants.