Fighting kills 20 Afghan civilians-officials

KABUL, Oct 18 (Reuters) Fighting between NATO forces and Taliban guerrillas killed at least 20 civilians in southern Afghanistan, police and officials said today, the highest number of combat-related deaths in weeks.

At least 12 people died when a stray rocket hit their home during a battle between NATO and Taliban forces in Helmand province yesterday, police said, adding the rocket was fired by the insurgents.

In neighbouring Kandahar, birthplace of the Taliban, provincial governor Assadullah Khalid said at least eight civilians were killed and nine injured in bombing by NATO planes southwest of the capital, Kandahar city, yesterday night.

NATO said its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) launched an operation to capture Taliban insurgents in the area, backed by close air support.

''It is believed that the air attack caused several civilian casualties along with an unknown number of insurgent casualties,'' the alliance said in a statement.

''ISAF deeply regrets causing any civilian casualties and ISAF makes every effort to minimise the risk of collateral damage in conducting its operations.'' MANGLED BODIES NATO and Afghan forces also killed at least 32 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters close to the Pakistani border in Paktika province.

''They opened fire on our soldiers, our hero soldiers have resisted and fought them - you see their bodies,'' Afghan general Murad Ali told reporters at the scene, pointing to a line of mangled bodies.

More Reuters PKD VV2219