In Afghanistan, at least eight people were killed in two incidents when international forces fired on them by mistake. Four people were killed in eastern Khost city when forces fired on their vehicle after it failed to stop at a military checkpoint. <br/><br/>A provincial government official said that NATO forces shot dead four civilians, but NATO said those killed were Taliban militants and their associates. <br/><br/>In another incident, four children were killed in crossfire between foreign soldiers and militants in the same province. <br/><br/>Education ministry said the school children were killed in an exchange of fire between ISAF and the opposition in Gurbuz district. <br/><br/>Civilian casualties is a sensitive issue in the war-affected nation as many believe it is turning public opinion against NATO-led forces.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the deputy mayor of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar was shot dead by militants yesterday. Interior ministry said in a statement that Azizullah Ziarmal was killed by a terrorist with a revolver as he was going to the mosque.<br/>