(KUNA) -- Fresh violence in different parts of Afghanistan claimed 13 lives, including a soldier of the International Security Assistance Force. A statement released from ISAF headquarters says one soldier died today (Sunday) from a gunshot wound sustained during a multinational operation in Musa Qala district in Helmand province. The incident occurred when ISAF troops came under small arms fire, following a successful mission, said the statement. It says nationality of the soldier will not be released by ISAF headquarters while further details about the operation, if becomes available, will be released later.
 In the same province, fierce battle between Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces left at least 10 insurgents dead, claimed the Afghan government on Sunday. Provincial government's spokesman Mohyuddin Khan told journalists their forces clashed with Taliban as the latter attacked their convoy in the Garamser district last night. He said the fighting continued for several hours which resulted in killing of 10 attackers. Five others were arrested while rest of their colleagues managed to escape taking advantage of the dark. Khan said the Afghan army and police were supported by British forces in the battle. Taliban did not issue any statement on the fresh government's claim. Both Afghan officials and Taliban issue conflicting statements about losses and casualties to their opponents.
| “The attacker pre-maturely blew up his explosive-packed car and the blast took place yards away from the convoy...” |
In a separate attack in western Afghanistan , a group of armed men rained rockets at a police check post in the night killing two policemen. The provincial security officials in Badghis, the province where the attack was carried out, are tight-lipped about identity of the attackers. In Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, a suicide bomber was killed when he missed his target Sunday morning. The failed attack was carried out in Daman district of Kandahar when a NATO convoy was passing through the area. The attacker pre-maturely blew up his explosive-packed car and the blast took place yards away from the convoy. Spokesman for the multinational force Major Innis said none of their soldiers was hurt in the botched up attack. |