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Global

Blast kills 15 Afghans and wounds 25


    KABUL (Reuters) - At least 15 Afghans were killed and 25 wounded on Tuesday in an explosion in eastern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan, a spokesman for NATO-led forces said.

    "Initial reports are that 15 local nationals were killedand another 25 were wounded in an explosion in Nangarharprovince," the spokesman for NATO's International SecurityAssistance Force (ISAF) said.

    Residents in the district, south of the city of Jalalabad,said Afghan forces and civilians were among the dead, whichthey said could total as many as 31.

    One resident, reached by phone from Kabul, said the deadincluded 11 members of the Afghan security forces and twochildren.

    It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion butsuicide bombers have carried out attacks in the area in thepast.

    The eastern region of Afghanistan, along the border withPakistan, is the scene of frequent clashes between U.S.-backedAfghan forces and Taliban militants.

    (Editing by Bill Tarrant)