11 killed, 22 injured in Kandahar car bombing

KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Nearly a dozen people were killed and 22 others wounded in a powerful car bombing in the Maiwand district of southern Kandahar province, sources said on Monday.

An explosives-packed mazda-type vehicle was used in the blast that targeted as security base on the Maiwand highway last night at around 7pm, said the governor’s spokesman.

Baheer Ahmadi told Pajhwok the dead included three policemen and eight civilians and the injured included 11 security personnel and as many civilians.

He said the dead and wounded included women and children.

Kandahar governor Hayatullah Hayat said the armed opponents had lost courage to enter face to face fighting with security forces and thus opted for soft targets.

The governor in a statement said the blast destroyed people’s homes, shops, a newly built school and military installations.

He said such attacks only increased people’s hate for the country’s enemies who would face strong resistance from security forces.

Haji Obaidullah, district’s administrative chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the explosion happened when an explosive-packed Mazda vehicle struck a security personnel base on Kandahar-Herat highway on Sunday night at around 7:00pm.

He said about 34 people suffered casualties in the massive bombing and the building of the base, nearby homes and shops were damaged due the powerful explosion.

According to Obaidullah, injured were evacuated to Mirwais Hospital.

Provincial public health director Mohammad Tawoos Ashraf Nadri confirmed receiving the body of a woman and 36 injured people from the scene. He said policemen and civilians were among the injured.

The Taliban have not yet commented about the car bombing that comes amid ongoing operations against the rebels in Maiwand, Panjwai and Arghandab districts.

Officials say the Taliban have been inflicted heavy casualties so far during these operations.

ma/sa

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