Landmine kills 5 people in Afghanistan's Kandahar
A landmine explosion in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province has killed at least five civilians and injured three others, officials say.
Authorities said the blast occurred in the province’s southern parts in a border area between the Arghastan and Marouf districts on Tuesday morning.
The explosive device detonated when the vehicle, the victims were traveling in, ran over the landmine.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast, although most terrorist acts across Afghanistan are either claimed by or attributed to the Taliban militants.
This is while the Ministry of Defense released a statement earlier on Tuesday, saying at least 83 militants have been killed and dozens of others injured in separate clean-up operations across the country over the past 24 hours.
The statement added that nine soldiers were also killed in the clashes.
In addition, security forces confiscated 400 kilograms of explosive materials and 23 different types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were found and defused during the operations.
Explosions, including roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are by far the most lethal weapons Taliban militants use against Afghan forces, foreign troops, and civilians.
The military operations come as the Taliban launched its so-called annual spring offensive dubbed “Azm” (Resolution) on April 24 against targets described by the group as Afghan government forces as well as foreign embassies.
Afghanistan has been grappling with a security challenge years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but many areas are still witnessing violence that threatens stability.
At least 13,500 foreign forces remain in Afghanistan despite the end of the US-led combat mission on December 31, 2014. The foreign forces, mainly from the United States, are there for what Washington calls a support mission. NATO says they will focus mainly on counter-terrorism operations and training Afghan soldiers and policemen.
CAH/GHN/HMV
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