'Civilians killed' in Afghanistan

Authorities in south-west Afghanistan say US-led forces have killed about 30 insurgents and up to eight civilians.

The governor of Nimroz province said coalition troops backed by air strikes had gone after Taleban militants suspected of planting roadside bombs.

The coalition made no mention of civilian casualties, but said several militants were killed in the operation.

In Wardak and Paktia provinces blasts blamed on insurgents killed at least eight more civilians, officials said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly called on international forces to avoid civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, US-led forces say three of their troops have been killed while on patrol near the southern city of Kandahar.

The three died when their vehicle rolled into a river bed in Arghandab district, where international and Afghan forces carried out a major operation against the Taleban earlier this month.

The incident is being investigated.