Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

BERLIN, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Two NATO soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing in northern Afghanistan.

German television stations reported the deaths of the German soldiers on Monday. A Taliban terrorist on a bicycle carried out the attack some 3 miles southwest of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan; five children playing in the street were also killed.

The bomber was wearing a jacket with explosives, the governor of Kunduz province told German broadcaster ARD.

The attack comes just a few days after German lawmakers extended Germany's commitment to the ISAF mission by another 14 months; they also agreed to a troop surge of 1,000 to 4,500 in Afghanistan.

German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung said the additional soldiers were desperately needed.

"With the situation in, say, Kunduz becoming more critical ... an increased number of German soldiers is necessary in the interests of our soldiers' safety," he told ARD after the lawmakers' decision.

Also on Monday, a British aid worker was shot dead in Kabul.