Suicide bomber hits Afghan capital

Around 1,000 French soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan as part of Nato-led forces [AFP]

A French soldier was killed and at least seven Afghan civilians wounded when a suicide bomber drove a car into a convoy carrying Nato-led troops in the Afghan capital.

The Taliban movement claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, the first inside the heavily barricaded capital in three weeks.

The French military has around 1,000 soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance force (ISAF).

The blast came just hours after around 40 Taliban fighters were killed by Afghan and US-led forces in Garmsir district of southern Helmand province, the US military said.

US forces said there were no civilian casualties in the attack in Garmsir.

Earlier on Friday the alliance had reported that six civilians were killed during a Nato-led operation against the Taliban in south of Afghanistan.

They died in Girishk district of Helmand on Wednesday when British-led forces under Nato's command launched a major operation in the district.

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