Twin Blasts Kill At Least 21 In Southern Afghanistan

[News_Editor]

Twin blasts kill at least 21 in southern Afghanistan < br />

2012-06-08 07:04:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

KANDAHAR CITY, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 21 people were killed after two suicide blasts struck a popular bazaar in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said. It was the deadliest single day for Afghan civilians so far this year.

The first of the two blasts struck at around 11 a.m. local time at a bazaar near the Kandahar International Airport, located on the Kandahar-Spin Boldak Highway in the province of Kandahar, when the suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden motorcycle.

The blast was followed by another motorcycle explosion in the bazaar and near the headquarters of the Afghan National Army (ANA) as people began transporting the initial victims to local hospitals, governor spokesperson Javed Faisal and provincial police chief Brigadier General Abdul Razaq told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility of the twin blasts, which killed 21 civilians and injured 50 others. But the nationwide death toll from insurgent attacks was at least 40, making it the deadliest single day for Afghan civilians so far this year. They also represent the worst day in civilian deaths since the Ashura attack of December 2011 in Kabul.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-06-08

[Colin Yai]

I wonder what they hope to achieve by slaughtering civilians?

[folium]

I wonder what they hope to achieve by slaughtering civilians?

http://www.bbc.co.uk...d-asia-18337557

Looks like they were hitting trucks supplying the ISAF airbase at Kandahar. Sadly terrorists are not too fussed about civilian casualties as it all helps create a climate of lawlessness and hopelessness, plus the if-they-weren't-here-it-wouldn't-be-happening line.

Edited June 8, 2012 by folium

[koheesti]

It was just recently that after the Coalition killed more civilians that the Taliban announced that they were taking great care not to harm civilians. And back in November, One-Eye Omar said this, "Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar called on his fighters to avoid killing civilians, saying they should "protect the lives and wealth of ordinary people."

Edited June 8, 2012 by koheesti