...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
, said the Ministry of Defense in a statement Thursday.
Officials accuse the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...murderous Moslems for planning mines under bridges that potentially damage facilities at the location.
"#ANA prevented the demolition of a bridge by #Taliban in Shindand district of Herat province, yesterday," said the MoD in a tweet.
Officials did not provide further details but said at least "3 IEDs placed by Taliban under the bridge were discovered and defused by ANA."
Taliban did not immediately comment on the accusation.
The group is known for similar terrorism across Afghanistan that harm public utilities and infrastructures through mines and bombs.