Police say two civilians were killed Monday when a bomb exploded in a busy market in southern Afghanistan.

The blast occurred inside a scrap metal shop in the Gereshk district of Helmand province.

In neighboring Uruzgan province, a roadside bomb killed an Australian soldier who was on patrol with Afghan troops Monday.

Australian defense officials say the blast also wounded a NATO soldier, who was not Australian. The service member's nationality was not released.

Monday's death brings the number of Australian troops killed in Afghanistan to 29 since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Australia, a key coalition partner, has about 1,500 military personnel in Afghanistan.