19 Civilians, Including Children, Killed in Afghan Explosion
Afghan officials confirmed Sunday that a roadside bomb in southern Helmand province has killed at least 19 civilians, including nine children.
According to the report, the victims were fleeing fighting between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the nearby Marjah district when their vehicle hit a landmine.
Reuters news agency reported all the children were under the age of five.
In northern Afghanistan, officials said Taliban insurgents captured a key district Saturday.
Authorities say the overnight fall of the Chardara district cleared the way for insurgents to overrun the Kunduz provincial capital.
Local officials said Sunday that Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters are locked in an intense battle a few kilometers from the provincial governor’s office.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed its fighters killed 24 Afghan police and troops before they seized control of Chardara. He added that the Taliban has also captured as many as 25 Afghan forces.
However, security officials dispute the Taliban claims, saying no more than 12 members of the national security forces had been killed. Authorities said a counteroffensive is being planned to retake the district.
Security forces recaptured district in Badakhshan province
Meanwhile, officials in northeastern Afghanistan said Sunday that security forces have recaptured the Yamgan district in Badakhshan province. Authorities said the intense counteroffensive left dozens of insurgents dead.
The Taliban seized control of the mountainous territory earlier this month. An Afghan Interior Ministry statement said “120 militants, including foreigners were killed or wounded” before Afghan forces regained control of Yamgan.
Officials have confirmed at least five soldiers also died in the clashes.
The current summer fighting season in Afghanistan is the first time that national security forces are battling the Taliban insurgency without the NATO-led coalition forces that withdrew from the country in December. A small residual foreign force remains to advise, train and assist the Afghan police and military.(Agencies Report)