Suicide bomber kills five French soldiers in northeast Afghanistan

[News_Editor]

Suicide bomber kills five French soldiers in northeast Afghanistan

2011-07-13 20:08:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- Five French soldiers and an Afghan civilian were killed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in front of a French military convoy in eastern Afghanistan, officials said.

The attack happened in the district of Tagab in Kapisa province, according to a statement released by the office of President Nicolas Sarkozy. "It is with great sadness that the President of the Republic learned of the deaths this morning of five French soldiers and an Afghan civilian who were murdered in Kapisa," the statement said.

According to the statement, a suicide bomber had approached the convoy and detonated his explosives near them. Five French soldiers and one Afghan civilian were killed. Seven others were injured, including four French soldiers and three Afghan civilians.

"The President extends to the families and loved ones [of the victims] his deepest sympathy and he shares their pain. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery," the statement added.

Coalition casualties in Afghanistan have been rising sharply in recent years, with a total coalition death toll of 709 in 2010, making it the deadliest year for international troops since the war began in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

So far this year, at least 306 coalition service members have been killed in Afghanistan. Most troops are killed in the country's south, which is plagued by IED attacks on troops and civilians. Most of the casualties are American.

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