In 7 months, blasts kill 72 civilians in Ghazni

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Bomb blasts killed at least 72 civilians and injured 187 others during the past seven months in southern Ghazni province, an official said Tuesday.

Mohammad Arif Noori, the governor’s spokesman, told a press conference in Ghazni City, the provincial capital, that roadside bombings killed 42 civilians and wounded 61 others on general highways.

Another 30 civilians were killed and 126 more wounded in car bombings during the period, he added.

He said the casualties occurred in the provincial capital, Andar, Waez, Dehyak, Gilan, Muqar and Khwaja Omari districts.

He accused Taliban militants of attacks which resulted in civilian causalities.

Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, a resident of Niaz Kala area of Andar district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a number of civilians lost their lives when two vehicles were hit by two roadside bomb blasts.

Niatmatullah, resident of Alamkhel village of Dehyak district, told Pajhwok that roadside, car bombings and airstrikes were behind the civilian deaths.

 A number of other residents held similar views and urged the warring parties to pay attention civilian lives.

On the other hand, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they planted remotely controlled landmines on highways only yo target government officials.

pk/ma