July 20 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Afghanistan at 1230 GMT on Sunday:

*indicates new or updated item

FARAH - An overnight foreign forces air strike killed nine policemen in an area of western Farah province after a clash in which both sides mistook the other for Taliban insurgents, a deputy provincial governor said on Sunday.

PAKTIKA - NATO-led forces said on Sunday its troops accidentally killed four civilians in a mortar attack on Saturday night in Paktika province, close to the border with Pakistan.

KANDAHAR - Afghan and foreign forces have killed 18 insurgents in a mopping-up operation in southern Kandahar province on Saturday, the Defence Ministry said.

ZABUL - Nine insurgents were killed in a clash with Afghan soldiers after the militants ambushed a private security company's convoy in neighbouring Zabul, Defence Ministry said, adding there were no casualties among foreign and Afghan forces.

HELMAND - A roadside bomb hit a van, killing three children, and wounding five more civilians in Helmand province on Sunday, police said.

HELMAND - Three Taliban insurgents were killed late on Saturday in the province of Helmand after attacking a police post, a police official said, adding there were no casualties among the police.

*HELMAND - NATO-led forces said they killed a senior Taliban commander and two of his followers near Musa Qala in northern Helmand on Sunday.

The Taliban could be reached immediately for comment about any of these incidents.

(Compiled by Sayed Salahuddin; Editing by Mariam Karouny)

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