Kabul: At least 12 civilians were killed in twin roadside bomb blasts in Afghanistan, officials said today, blaming the attacks on the Taliban as the militants intensify their summer offensive.
A roadside bomb ripped through a passenger van on Saturday in Tagab district of Kapisa, an often restive province in the mountains east of the Afghan capital Kabul, killing 10 civilians and wounding six others, provincial officials said.
'A civilian van travelling from Kabul to Alasay district of Kapisa hit a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban,' Qais Qaderi, a spokesman for the provincial governor, told AFP.
'Ten civilians, all men, were killed. Three children and three women were wounded,' he said.
Abdul Karim Fayeq, the provincial police chief, confirmed the incident and blamed the Taliban for the blast.
No one has claimed responsiblity for the attack but roadside bombs have been the Taliban's weapon of choice in their war against foreign and Afghan security forces, now in its 14th year.
The bombs also increasingly kill and wound civilians.
Mohammad Hussain Sanjari, head of the provincial council of Kapisa, said the wounded civilians were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
In another incident, at least two civilians were killed and four civilians and two police were wounded when a police vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Kunduz city today, provincial police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Husseini told AFP.
The insurgents launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade.
The Taliban, who promised to 'safeguard' civilian lives during their offensive, are known to distance themselves from attacks that result in high civilian casualties.
The surge in insurgents attacks has taken a heavy toll on ordinary Afghans, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan.
Almost 1,000 civilians were killed during the first four months of this year, a sharp jump from the same period last year, the UN said.
A roadside bomb ripped through a passenger van on Saturday in Tagab district of Kapisa, an often restive province in the mountains east of the Afghan capital Kabul, killing 10 civilians and wounding six others, provincial officials said.
'A civilian van travelling from Kabul to Alasay district of Kapisa hit a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban,' Qais Qaderi, a spokesman for the provincial governor, told AFP.
Abdul Karim Fayeq, the provincial police chief, confirmed the incident and blamed the Taliban for the blast.
Advertisement
The bombs also increasingly kill and wound civilians.
Advertisement
In another incident, at least two civilians were killed and four civilians and two police were wounded when a police vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Kunduz city today, provincial police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Husseini told AFP.
Advertisement
The Taliban, who promised to 'safeguard' civilian lives during their offensive, are known to distance themselves from attacks that result in high civilian casualties.
Advertisement
Almost 1,000 civilians were killed during the first four months of this year, a sharp jump from the same period last year, the UN said.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Taliban Rejects UN Criticism Of Morality Law As Insult To Islamic Values "Good Place To Swim": Afghanistan Captain's Dig At Noida Sports Complex Ahead Of New Zealand Test Rashid Khan Takes Break From Test Cricket To Manage His Back PM's Shivaji Statue Collapse Apology Smacked Of Arrogance: Uddhav Thackeray Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Maruti Suzuki Retails 1.81 Lakh Cars In Aug 2024 With 4% YoY Decline Israel Vows To Settle Score With Hamas As Bodies Of Hostages Found In Gaza 9 Dead As Rains Continue In Andhra, Floodwater Enters Houses In Telangana Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.