KANDAHAR: A minibus packed with explosives blew up in the southern Afghancity of Kandahar on Tuesday causing dozens of casualties, officials said,as fighting continued across the country during the Muslim holy month ofRamadan.
The blast, near one of the city’s main markets, sent a huge cloud of dustand smoke into the air. Nematullah Barak, head of Mirwais hospital inKandahar, said six dead and more 30 wounded, including several children,had been brought in.
A statement from the NDS intelligence service said the minibus, packed withexplosives, was discovered in a large open yard of mechanics workshops butblew up before it could be defused.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Hundreds of people havebeen killed or wounded in high-profile bomb attacks since the beginning ofthe year, many in the capital Kabul, but provincial cities have also beenhit as the Taliban, seeking to reimpose hardline Islamic rule, have steppedup fighting across the country.
Tuesday’s explosion came as the Taliban pushed ahead with their springoffensive, launched last month, with fighting in other areas of the country.
As many as seven police were killed in clashes on Monday night betweensecurity forces and the Taliban in the southwest province of Ghazni, wherethe insurgents have cut a key highway with the neighbouring province ofPaktika, officials said.
Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor, said a large Talibanforce, armed with heavy weapons, attacked government positions in fivedistricts of the province late on Monday, with fighting continuing untildawn.
Insurgents burned down the police headquarters in Jaghato district, he said.