Afghanistan still gripped by violence

12 February 2021

Five Afghan security force members were killed yesterday on the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital when unknown gunmen attacked a UN convoy on the outskirts of the capital.

An Afghan interior ministry official was quoted as saying they believed the Taliban were behind it. While a spokesperson for the Taliban vehemently deny they had anything to do with the attack.

Attacks on international forces and foreign players have been rare since the Taliban signed a troop withdrawal deal with Washington almost a year ago. However, violence against Afghans has escalated around the nation even as the Taliban and the Afghan government hold peace talks in Qatar.

Yesterday, three back-to-back blasts in eastern Kunar province left three people dead and two injured, according to a police spokesman. At least two people were killed and five others injured in three separate blasts in eastern Nangarhar province. On the same day the Pajhwok News agency also reported that unknown gunmen shot and injured Qotbuddin Kohi, a journalist working for the media outlet in northern Faryab province.

Almost daily deadly attacks with small, magnetic bombs attached to the undercarriages of vehicles, as well as roadside explosive devices and shootings, are unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists.

Adapted from original source: Dunyanews

LT