A+ A-

Roadside blast kills 5 policemen in E. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Sept 20 (KUNA) -- A roadside blast targeting a police vehicle has killed five policemen in Afghanistan's eastern Paktia province, said officials on Sunday.
Provincial police chief, Zulmai Oryakhail told media that the blast in Zurmat district in the troubled province struck a police vehicle killing at least five officers on board. Provincial governor's spokesman Naqib Ahmad Attal also confirmed the incident and the death toll.
No group has so far claimed the responsibility of the blast but Taliban rebels have targeted security forces through roadside bombs in the past.
Moreover, at least 28 civilians were wounded in a magnetic bomb explosion in Asadabad, the capital of eastern Kunar province on Sunday. Police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Habib Syedkhel confirming the incident said that the bomb was placed in an energy meter box in the main market of Asadbad.
According to United Nations, around 1,600 civilians were killed and 3,329 others injured in the first half of this year across Afghanistan. (end) sbk.mt