News / Afghanistan

Taliban attack kills three Afghan soldiers in Balkh

Monday, 08 February 2016 8:09 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 08 February 2016 8:08 AM ]

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers arrive for an operation near the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif on January 4, 2016. (AFP photo)

A bombing attack on an army vehicle in the Afghan province of Balkh has left at least three soldiers dead and another 18 military personnel injured.

The bomber targeted the minibus near an army base in Dahdadi district in the northern province on Monday morning, said Munir Ahmad Farhad, spokesman for the provincial governor in Balkh.

In an email to media, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial governor, said unknown gunmen shot dead a presidential palace guard inside his house in the eastern province. The man’s mother was also wounded in the attack.

"An investigation is underway by police to find out who is behind this attack," Khogyani said on Monday.

Last Monday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a bomb blast outside a police station in the capital, Kabul. The attack killed at least 20 people and injured 29 others, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity for more than 14 years after the United States and its allies attacked the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. Although the 2001 attack overthrew the Taliban, many areas across Afghanistan still face violence and insecurity.

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