KABUL, Afghanistan, August 23, SPA -- An Afghan police chief says aroadside bomb in southern Afghanistan has killed 10civilians. Matiullah Khan says the civilians were riding in a smallbus when the bomb exploded Saturday in the Shah Wali Kotdistrict of Kandahar province. In neighboring Helmand province, meanwhile, provincialpolice Chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal says a battle betweenTaliban fighters and Afghan police on Friday killed 17militants. More than 3,500 people _ mostly militants _ have died ininsurgency-related violence this year, according to anAssociated Press count.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/584232