65 Afghanis Killed in Attacks, Karzai Survives an Assassination Attempt

In the past, many of the casualties were Afghani civilians despite claims they were Taliban fighters.

Afghan President Karzai Survives Apparent Assassination Attempt by Taliban Rockets

Taliban fighters trained a barrage of rockets on President Hamid Karzai on Sunday as he spoke with a group of elders in central Afghanistan, narrowly missing the Afghan leader.

A purported Taliban spokesman said they planned the strike after learning in advance about Karzai's arrival.

It was the third attempt on Karzai's life since he became president. The Afghan leader did not flinch as the rockets landed about 200 yards away, said Arif Yaqoubi, a local reporter.

Qari Yousef Ahmadi, the Taliban spokesman, told The Associated Press that Taliban fighters were behind Sunday's attack on Karzai.

In northwestern Afghanistan, (Taliban fighters) attacked three separate posts Saturday in Murghab district of Badghis province, sparking a six-hour long battle that killed 20 suspected Taliban and two police, said provincial police chief Gen. Mohammad Ayub Naizyar.

In southern Zabul province, NATO and Afghan troops clashed with militants and called in airstrikes, leaving 27 suspected Taliban fighters dead in the district of Shinkay, Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said.

Also in Zabul's Naw Bahar district, NATO and Afghan troops clashed with (Taliban fighters), leaving 16 of them dead on Friday, a statement from Defense Ministry said.

The reports could not be independently verified because the incidents occurred in remote areas.

In Ghazni province, one Afghan soldier was killed and four were wounded when a roadside bomb hit their patrol Saturday, NATO said in a statement.

Associated Press writers Amir Shah and Rahim Faiez in Kabul, and Noor Khan in Kandahar contributed to this report.

In the past, many of the casualties were Afghani civilians despite claims they were Taliban fighters.

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