Landmine Blast Kills One Civilian, Injures Four in Afghan South

Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency

Kabul, 25 December: An explosion has killed one civilian and wounded three others. A press release sent by the press office of the Interior Ministry to Afghan Islamic Press [AIP] this morning said that the Taleban had given a mine to four civilians in Kandahar, forcing them to plant it targeting the police. But the mine exploded as they planted it, killing one of them and wounding the three others.

The acting security commander of Kandahar, Mohammad Omar, has also confirmed this incident, telling AIP: “The incident occurred in the Ashgho area of Zheray District at noon yesterday.”

“The Taleban forced four farmers to plant a mine on the road near a police checkpoint. But it exploded as they planted it, killing a farmer and wounding the three others,” Mr Omar added. He said those wounded are now being treated in Kandahar and that they had given this information.

It is worth pointing out that officials and ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] also accuse the Taleban of planting mines under human bodies and carrying out inhumane acts. However, the Taleban have not yet commented on this.

Originally published by Afghan Islamic Press news agency, Peshawar, in Pashto 0702 25 Dec 07.

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