Five perish in motorcycle bomb attack

Posted on 11 months ago

LASHKAR GAH/KHOST Afghanistan (NNI/ AIP): Five people were killed and 13 wounded in a motorcycle bombing attack on Sunday evening in southern Afghan province of Helmand, a provincial government spokesman said on Monday morning.
"An explosive-laden motorbike was detonated through a remote- control device near an Afghan Local Police) checkpoint in Mirmandab area of Gereshk district Sunday evening as a result two ALP policemen and three civilians lost their lives," spokesman Daud Ahmad said. He said the injured include 11 civilians and two ALP servicemen.
The NATO and U.S.-funded ALP or community police was established in August 2010 to protect villages and districts around the insurgency-hit country where Afghan army and police have limited presence.
Violence has been on the rise since Taliban insurgents launched an annual spring offensive on May 3.
The Taliban has warned the civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people against supporting government and foreign troops.
Six U.S. soldiers with the NATO-led coalition were killed in a Taliban Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday.
The insurgent group claimed of responsibility for the Helmand's attack. Zabihullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, told local media via cell phone from undisclosed location that the outfit fighters carried out the attack killing over a dozen policemen in Helmand late Sunday.
Notorious for growing poppy and militancy, the Helmand province, 555 km south of capital Kabul, has been regarded as a Taliban hotbed in southern part of insurgency-hit country.
Meanwhile, a policeman and a Talib fighter were killed after a clash in Mir Zaka district of Paktia province last night, an official said Monday .
Taliban attacked headquarters of Mir Zaka district, killing a cop and wounding two others, Khaista Jan Hadi, head of Paktia provincial council, told AIP.
He said four police vehicles were also destroyed and compound of the district headquarters was heavily damaged after the attack.
"Later, local residents came to the support of police, forcing Taliban to retreat. Taliban also suffered casualties but accurate details were not available," Hadi said.
Taliban, however, said 22 police were killed and wounded in their attack on district centre.

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