Multiple attacks in Afghanistan leave many dead
February 24, 2018
Taliban militants attacked an Afghan army post overnight on Friday, killing at least 18 soldiers, Afghanistan's defense ministry confirmed Saturday.
"A large number of Taliban [jihadists] attacked an army outpost and we lost 18 soldiers and two were wounded," said Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.
The Taliban, which has increased its violent attacks across the country, claimed responsibility.
Diplomatic area targeted
At least two people were killed and more than seven wounded when an "Islamic State" bomber detonated his explosives in Kabul's diplomatic area Saturday.
Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the attack took place in the Shash Darak area of Kabul, near the NATO headquarters and not far from the US embassy.
Meanwhile, an Afghan official said at least three security personnel were killed in a separate suicide bombing attack in southern Helmand province.
A car bomber was shot early Saturday by Afghan army soldiers, Helmand provincial governor Omar Zwak said. His vehicle, he added, managed to reach the entrance of the army base in Nad Aali district, killing two soldiers and wounding another.
On January 27, a Taliban suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden ambulance on a busy Kabul street, killing more than 100 people and injuring at least 235.
The United Nations said earlier this month that more than 10,000 civilians had been killed or wounded in the ongoing war in Afghanistan in 2017, with militant bombings responsible for inflicting a major proportion of casualties.
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shs/jlw (AP, Reuters)