NATO commanders and Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the road side bombing today in Afghanistan that led to the deaths of more than a dozen civilians, including women and children.

The attack took place in Afghanistan's Paktika province. Witnesses said the incident occurred when a civilian vehicle struck an insurgent-planted bomb in the province's Khoshamand district.

"We join President Karzai in condemning the despicable murder of these innocent Afghan civilians," said Navy Rear Adm. Vic Beck. "From the families who have lost loved ones to the communities they call home, every loss of innocent life, especially the loss of children, is incredibly painful. Our thoughts are with those grieving, and we will continue work with the Afghan government in bringing those responsible to justice."