Two UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Press TV, Sat May 28, 2011 11:42PM

Two British soldiers serving in the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have been killed by a homemade bomb in southern Afghanistan.

“The Royal Marines, from 42 Commando, were on an operation on Friday with Afghan forces to clear parts of Nad-e Ali district in Helmand province when they were hit by the blast,” AFP cited a statement released by Britain's Ministry of Defense on Saturday.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are by far the most lethal weapon Taliban militants use against foreign troops, Afghan forces as well as civilians.

The latest deaths bring to 368 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since October 2001, when the US-led invasion of the country began.

At least 206 foreign troops have so far been killed in the war-ravaged Afghanistan this year.

Last year, nonetheless, remains the deadliest year for foreign military casualties with a total death toll of 711. The figure eclipsed the previous record of 521, set in 2009.

Britain reportedly has around 9,500 military servicemen in Afghanistan, making it the second largest force in the country after the United States.

Hundreds of civilians have also been killed in US-led airstrikes and ground operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past few months, with Afghans growing increasingly outraged over the seemingly endless number of deadly assaults.

Moreover, the growing death rate of Afghan civilians as a result of NATO and US military operations in the country has fueled tensions between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Western allies.

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Seven killed in suicide attack in northern Afghanistan

TALUQAN, Afghanistan, May 28, 2011 (Xinhua)--

Seven people including two senior police officers and three German soldiers were killed and nine others including provincial governor were injured as a suicide bomber targeted governor's office in northern Afghan province of Takhar's capital Taluqan city on Saturday, an official said.

"It was a suicide bombing in governor's office where a security meeting was underway at 04:30 p.m. local time as a result seven people including police chief of northern region General Mohammad Daud Daud, provincial police chief Shah Jahan Nuri and three German soldiers with the NATO-led troops were killed," spokesman for provincial administration Faizullah Tawhidi told Xinhua.

He added that nine people including provincial governor Abdul Jabbar Taqwa were injured.

Meanwhile, purported Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told media via telephone from unknown location claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up inside governor's office where a security meeting was being held.

Mujahid also insisted that Mohammad Daud and Shah Jahan Nuri were killed in the explosion.

Afghan provincial governor succumbs to injuries

KABUL, May 28, 2011 (Xinhua) --

 The governor of northern Afghanistan' s Takhar province died of injuries inflicted in a suicide bomb attack on his office on Saturday.

"Abdul Jabbar Taqwa succumbed to injuries this evening in hospital," Syed Ahmad, a doctor in the provincial capital Taluqan city told Xinhua.

Earlier spokesman for Takhar provincial administration Faizullah Tawhidi confirmed seven people including two senior police officers and three German soldiers with the NATO-led troops were killed and nine people including the provincial governor were wounded as a suicide bomber blew himself up in governor's office.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which left seven people including provincial police chief Shah Jahan Nuri and commander of police in northern Afghanistan General Mohammad Daud Daud dead on the spot.

Nine people were injured, some of them in critical condition, doctor Ahmad asserted.

Taliban militants fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops have intensified attacks since they launched spring offensive from May 1.

Editor: Mu Xuequan