50 people killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan
At least 14 people were killed and eight others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province. An attack by militants on security forces in the north-western province of Badghis has left 36 people dead. The attacks, which occurred on the first day of the holy month of Ramzan, highlight the difficulties faced by the Western-backed Afghan troops against militants.
On April 22, Taliban militants disguised as military killed at least 140 soldiers in a military base in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Several others were wounded. About 10 militants, dressed in Afghan army uniforms and in military vehicles, made their way into the base and opened fire. Taliban called it retribution for the recent killing of senior leaders of the outfit.
In 2014, the US ended combat operations against Taliban, leaving the Afghan military to deal with the militancy. Afghan forces have sustained widespread casualties since and have struggled to contain the militancy. The US recently said it's considering deploying an additional 3,000 troops in Afghanistan to ensure stability in the country. The Taliban have increased their attacks in the weeks leading up to Ramzan.
The Taliban has claimed for the Khost attack, saying it was aimed at Afghan troops. However, no military or police vehicles were seen destroyed in the blast, an eyewitness told Reuters.
In the Khost attack, a terrorist detonated a car bomb close to a football field situated near a military base. An official said the 14 dead bodies brought to a local hospital were "not recognizable and it is hard to say if they are civilians or security forces." Another official said at least two children were killed in the attack.
In Baghdis province, a group of militants attacked Afghan troops triggering clashes. This has left 22 insurgents, six security personnel and eight civilians dead. The attack came a day after clashes between ISIS militants and local residents left 15 insurgents and six civilians dead.
