3 Afghan soldiers killed, 3 injured in roadside blast

Source: Xinhua | 02-13-2008 15:18

KABUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and three more injured as an ANA vehicle was struck by a roadside mine while patrolling in southern Afghanistan's Musa Qala district Wednesday morning, the district chief said.

Musa Qala, a known Taliban heartland in Afghanistan's troubled Helmand province, was regained by Afghan government forces during an early December major offensive launched with assistance from foreign troops.

Haji Abdul Salam, known as Mullah Salam, a newly appointed district chief of Musa Qala, confirmed the fresh bombing with Xinhua, saying Afghan security forces started a search operation in the area following the incident, but so far they have not made any arrest.

There has been no immediate responsibility claim yet but the Taliban militants who once controlled the town for months usually launch such guerrilla-style attacks against Afghan and foreign forces.

The past year has seen rising militancy-related violence across the post-Taliban country especially in its remote southern and eastern regions, where anti-government militants are more active.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei