Off the wire
• Miss World Australia finalist dies after car crash with French tourists  • Immigration drives biggest ever rise in New Zealand population  • 1st LD: Series of blasts hit southern Thailand on Queen's birthday  • Commentary: Australia's foreign investment policy baffles Chinese buyers  • Roundup: Chinese swimmer Chen Xinyi tests positive while US tops medals table at Rio Olympics  • New Zealand meat firm approves deal with Chinese food giant  • LeBron James agrees to three-year contract with Cleveland Cavaliers  • Feature: Shanghai Opera House's Thunderstorm makes a successful debut in London  • (Sports Focus) Chinese swimmer Chen Xinyi tests positive at Rio Olympics: Chinese Swimming Association (updated 2)  • Atletico stiker Baston joins Swansea City  
You are here: 　 Home

4 civilians killed in southern Afghan explosion

Xinhua, August 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Four Afghan civilians were killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Friday, the provincial government spokesman said.

"One vehicle touched off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along a road in Shaalghamai locality, Maiwand district at round 07:30 a.m. local time. The blast claimed the lives of four passengers aboard the vehicle," spokesman Samim Khpalwak told Xinhua.

He blamed the enemies of Afghanistan, a term referring to Taliban militant group, for the attack in the province, 450 km south of Afghan capital of Kabul.

The Taliban has been using IEDs to target security forces but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians, according to military officials.

About 1,600 civilians were killed and more than 3,560 others wounded in conflict-related violence and Taliban-led attacks in first half of the year, according to UN mission officials in the country. Endit