Blast hits US-led forces vehicle in Afghan south

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Kandahar, (Afghanistan), Jul 24: A blast struck a vehicle carrying US-led forces in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar today wounding two soldiers, two days after deadly suicide attacks in the same province.

The latest attack in Kandahar comes at a time of heightened violence in the south where NATO-led forces will assume security responsibilities from a US-led coalition next week.

Coalition spokesman Major Scott Lundy told Reuters that a vehicle carrying Afghan army and coalition soldiers was a hit by an explosion near Kandahar city, a Taliban stronghold.

''As they drove past a stationary vehicle it detonated, causing two casualties,'' said Lundy, adding the soldiers' injuries were serious, but not life threatening.

Their identities were not given.

Police sources told Sources the attack had been carried out by a suicide bomber.

Canadian troops form the bulk of coalition forces in Kandahar.

Hundreds of militants and civilians, as well as more than 20 foreign soldiers, including at least six from NATO-led troops, have been killed in the south since June in a wave of attacks, hit-and-run raids and suicide bombings by Taliban insurgents.

On Saturday, a suicide car bomber rammed a coalition vehicle in Kandahar city and as Afghan authorities tried to push back onlookers and deal with casualties from the blast, a second suicide bomber on foot blew himself up.

At least five Afghans and two Canadian soldiers were killed.

NATO MISSION NATO

chiefs toured three southern provinces last week, including Kandahar, and reported security was satisfactory as the alliance gears up for what will be its toughest ground mission ever.

The 26-nation body is already responsible for security in the relatively peaceful north, west and the capital, Kabul, but its mission in the south starting next month will be more dangerous.

The Taliban have vowed to drive out foreign forces from Afghanistan and topple President Hamid Karzai's government.

More than 1,700 people have been killed in Afghan violence this year, most of them Taliban, according to US and Afghan figures. More than 70 foreign troops as well as scores of civilians have also been killed.

REUTERS

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