At least nine civilians were killed in a landmine and an improvisedexplosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on the first day of the Eid al-Fitrdespite a brief truce for the Muslim festival, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Authorities in the restive southern Kandahar province said two back-to-backlandmine blasts claimed seven civilians and injured three others.
Police command spokesman Jamal Nasir Barakzay told Anadolu Agency theattacks occurred in Maiwand and Panjwai districts. All victims werecivilians, including women and children, he said.
Two other civilians, including a child, were killed when an IED exploded innorthern Kunduz province that also injured 12, according to a statement bythe provincial administration.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility but officials pointedfingers at Taliban insurgents for planting landmines and IEDs across thecountry.
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Statistics provided by the Interior Ministry on Tuesday suggested that atleast 300 civilians have been killed and 500 others injured since thebeginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
It said since the beginning of Ramadan on April 14, insurgents conducted150 landmine explosions, 15 suicide attacks, and 50 targeted assassinationsacross the country, especially in major cities.
The Taliban declared a three-day brief cease-fire reciprocated by theAfghan government that is set to end Sunday.
