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1st LD Writethru: Army general killed in bomb attack in S. Afghanistan

Xinhua, May 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

An Afghan army general was killed in a bomb attack in the southern province of Kandahar on Thursday, a provincial source said.

"General Abdul Basir Shahrvand was killed following an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack during an ongoing military operation in Gondlan locality of Shah Wali Kot district at around mid-day," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

The deceased general was serving as the commander of 1st Brigade of Army's Corps 205 Attal based in the region, he said.

Further details about the attack are still forthcoming amid the absence of official statement.

"More details would be made public later as investigation into the incident is underway," the source noted.

The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen recently as they struggle against a surge in attacks by Taliban militant group and other anti-government fighters.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since early April when the militant group launched its annual rebel offensive in different areas of the country.

Kandahar, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold. Enditem