The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan says at least 25 Taleban rebels have been killed during a joint military operation with Afghan troops in the south of the country.

A statement released by the coalition Friday says the clash happened Thursday in Helmand province.

Also Thursday, three NATO soldiers from Canada were killed in an attack by Taleban insurgents in southern Kandahar province.

In a separate incident in the same province, a suicide attacker drove a bomb-laden car into a crowded market, killing at least 21 people and wounding 13 others. Local officials say the suicide bomber was apparently targeting the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces, but the casualties were all civilians.

NATO took over security operations from U.S.-led coalition forces this week in six southern Afghan provinces.