Four NATO soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack by suspected Taliban militants in Afghanistan.
The blast, which targeted a Canadian patrol, occurred in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.
The soldiers were handing out notebooks and pens to children when the suicide bomber, who was on a bicycle, detonated his explosives in the crowd.
At least 24 children were wounded in the explosion, 12 seriously.
Over 90 foreign troops have been killed in Afghanistan this year following a surge in Taliban-related violence.
NATO forces, including 2,300 Canadian troops, took over control of operations in southern Afghanistan from US-led forces on 31 July.
Despite today's attack, the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan has said NATO and Afghan government troops had forced Taliban insurgents out of Panjwai district after a two-week offensive codenamed Operation Medusa.
NATO said more than 400 insurgents were killed in the operation but the Taliban has denied such losses. Five Canadians and 14 British troops were killed during the operation.
