Taliban suicide bomber kills 5 civilians in attack on ISAF convoy

The Taliban killed five civilians in a suicide attack today that targeted an International Security Assistance Force convoy as was traveling in the Jalo Khel area of Tagab district in Kapisa province. From Khaama Press:

According to local authorities in eastern Kapisa province of Afghanistan, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at Tagab district on Friday morning.

Deputy provincial governor Aziz-ur-Rahman Tawab confirming the reports said at least five civilians were killed and over ten others were wounded following the blast.

Mr. Tawab further added the suicide bomber was looking to target a convoy of the NATO troops however the bomber detonated explosives packed in the vehicle near a residential house.

ISAF confirmed that there was an attack on its convoy, and said that no ISAF casualties were reported.

Today’s suicide attack is the third in Afghanistan in 10 days; all three have taken place in central Afghanistan. On Jan. 16, a suicide assault team attacked the National Directorate of Security headquarters in Kabul. All six fighters and one NDS guard were killed. The Taliban entered the compound before being repelled.

And on Jan. 21, a suicide assault team attacked the traffic police headquarters in Kabul. Five Taliban fighters and three policemen were killed after the suicide team entered the compound and battled for more than eight hours.

Tagab district is a known safe haven for Taliban and Hizb-i-Islami fighters in Kapisa province [for more information on insurgent groups in Kapisa, see LWJ report, Taliban suicide bomber kills 4 French soldiers]. In June 2012, the Taliban conducted two suicide attacks in Kapisa over the course of nine days.

French troops were formerly based in Kapisa, but transferred control of the province to Afghan security forces in June 2012 before withdrawing their combat forces completely from Afghanistan in December 2012, two years ahead of schedule.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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3 Comments

  • Hibeam says:

    Sad news. If we would unleash our drones then these fine fellows could achieve martyrdom on the Paki side of the border.

  • irebukeu says:

    “French troops were formerly based in Kapisa, but transferred control of the province to Afghan security forces in June 2012”
    ——————————————————–
    So, when did the Taliban claim the province then?
    In June or July?

  • sheep dog says:

    where are the tanks Taliban (drug lord mafia) said they destroyed?

Iraq

Islamic state

Syria

Aqap

Al shabaab

Boko Haram

Isis