Daily Security Brief: February 14, 2012

BALKH: A child was killed and six others were injured when a gas cylinder exploded in northern Balkh province, an official said on Tuesday.

The overnight blast took place in the Baba Yagar area of the provincial capital, killing a 4-year-old child, zonal hospital director, Dr. Anwari, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the injured included a man, his wife and four children, whose condition was unstable. The cylinder exploded after being placed on a stove for heating.

The explosion happened at around 7pm, said Mohammad Qasim, a relative of the victims. “Doctors have advised me to transfer the injured to Kabul, but I’m not in a position to do so.”

—Zabihullah Ihsas

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FARAH: Two policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Bala Baluk district of southern Farah province on Tuesday, an official said.

The incident took place late on Tuesday, eye witness, Javid, told Pajhwok Afghan News. “The policemen were shopping in the city, where assailants in a vehicle opened fire on them.”

Farah police chief, Brig. Gen. Shamsur Rahman Zahid said the policemen were killed by insurgents during a patrol of the area. He gave no further details.

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the shooting.

–Humayoun Zahin

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NANGARHAR: Weapons, ammunitions and explosives were handed over to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Group (DIAG) programme in eastern Nangarhar province, officials said on Tuesday.

The arms included approximately nine tonnes of explosives, mortars, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) shells and warheads, Ahmadzai Abdulzia, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said security personnel seized two anti-vehicle mines, one hand grenade, two warheads, three mortar shells and a jerry can full of explosives in Rodat, Khogiani, Ghanikhel and Kama districts.

An individual was detained along with an AK-47 assault rifle in Jalalabad and 25 sacks of ammonium nitrate were confiscated in the Dur Baba district, he added.

Elsewhere, four AK-47 assault rifles were recovered from a vehicle in the Momand Dara district, the 201st Selab Military Corps said in a statement.

—Abdul Moeed Hashmi

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