Soldiers, civilians die in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Roadside bombs in Afghanistan's Helmand province killed three civilians and a police officer in separate incidents Tuesday, officials said.

Afghan police officers were trying to defuse a roadside bomb when it exploded killing one of the officers and injuring two others, Khaama Press reported.

In the second incident three Afghan civilians were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in southern Helmand province.

Afghan's defense ministry announced Tuesday that at least 17 national army soldiers were killed or injured in various incidents across the country.

At the same time, soldiers killed seven insurgents and injured nine others during military operations.