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| Afghanistan |
| Taliban Attack Kills Six Afghan Soldiers |
| 2003-08-07 |
| Dozens of suspected Taliban fighters attacked a government office in southern Afghanistan early Thursday, killing six Afghan soldiers and an Afghan driver for an American aid organization, a provincial intelligence chief said. The attack - one of the most brazen and well-organized recent assaults in the region - was possibly part of a trend involving militants targeting Afghans working for foreign agencies. The violence occurred about 4 a.m. in Deshu district, about 110 miles south of Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province. At least six Afghans working for the American aid organization Mercy Corps were conducting an agricultural survey in the region and were staying in the building at the time, said the intelligence chief, Dad Mohammed Khan. Khan said about 40 suspected Taliban fighters drove up in four vehicles, entered the government offices and opened fire. The use of the vehicles was unusual and bold. The militants usually travel on foot, making them less conspicuous. Sounds like nobody was standing guard. Clever tactic, somebody has been watching the office and noticed lack security. The driver had been sleeping in the same room with the soldiers. None of the other Afghan Mercy Corps employees were injured, Khan said. He gave no other details, but said his men were pursuing the attackers. |
| Posted by:Steve |