KANDAHAR, May 27: Two children were killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, one day after a major operation to hunt and kill Taliban in the region, an official said.

The bomb exploded about three kilometres south of Kandahar's gate on a rough road leading to the airport, the southern region's top military official, General Khan Mohammed, told AFP.

"A land-mine planted on the main road outside Kandahar city, not far from the airport in Sarandam area, killed two children," he said. "It was a newly-planted mine," he said, adding that the road is mainly used by foreigners and coalition forces as it is the primary access route to the airport.

The explosion came one day after fighting in the southern region, which, local officials said, claimed the lives of some 20 Taliban militants. Khan Mohammed said there were no reports of further clashes with Taliban after fighting erupted late on Tuesday and led to US aircraft bombing the area.

It is not known whether the insurgents were killed by the bombardment or in fighting on the ground. "We are following the rest of the escaped Taliban, but we have not arrested or caught anyone after that bombing," Khan Mohammed said. -AFP