Posted on 07/26/2004 1:39:40 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - A bomb exploded Monday near a U.S. military vehicle in southeastern Afghanistan, injuring three American soldiers and their interpreter, the military said. A newly appointed police chief escaped a similar blast in a key southern city.
An Afghan election worker was also reported killed in a Taliban stronghold, the latest victim of a stream of violence threatening upcoming elections.
The soldiers were traveling in an armored Humvee 35 miles east of Qalat, the capital of troubled Zabul province, when it was damaged by a homemade bomb, American spokesman Maj. Rick Peat said.
Peat said the three soldiers and their Afghan interpreter suffered burns, but their injuries were not critical. "They should be fine," he said.
The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a large American base at Kandahar, Afghanistan's main southern city and the scene of another explosion Monday.
The remote-controlled bomb went off near a vehicle carrying the newly appointed chief of police for Kandahar province, damaging his car but injuring no one.
Khan Mohammed was traveling to his office when the bomb went off, said Salim Khan, a deputy police chief.
Khan blamed Taliban insurgents for the attack, but offered no evidence to back up his claim.
Mohammed, contacted by The Associated Press, confirmed the attack and vowed to "wipe out terrorists" from his area.
"These attacks cannot stop me from my work," he said. "I will continue my work to improve law and order."
The election worker was reported killed in central Uruzgan province.
Haji Obeidullah, mayor of a district also called Uruzgan, said the head of a newly opened voter registration site was driving home on Saturday when suspected Taliban stopped his car.
The official, Malik Mohammed Anwar, was shot dead along with a police guard, he said.
Kandahar, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces have seen frequent attacks against U.S. and Afghan troops, police, and government officials since the former Taliban regime was ousted as a result of U.S.-led operations in late 2001.
The victims have included at least eight election workers so far this year.
Great news. They will be ok!
"Mohammed, contacted by The Associated Press, confirmed the attack and vowed to "wipe out terrorists" from his area.
"These attacks cannot stop me from my work," he said. "I will continue my work to improve law and order."
More good news. I like this Mohammed.
Let Freedom Reign.
It's amazing that in this violent climate Afghanistan is still seeing an incredible number (80%+ ??) of people registering to vote. God bless them all, as well as these fine soldiers.
What evidence does one need? The attack itself is sufficient proof. Of course it is them.
It was his supporters?
/sarcasm off
Well, it could also be a power play between Afghan warlords and their impatient heirs, really. People like Dostom, for example, make enemies by the dozens every single day, and something with very good reason. Even during the Soviet occupation the competing groups were in-fighting viciously.
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