6 Afghani Civilian, Policeman Killed in War Attacks, Anti-US Rally in Ghazni, January 5, 2011

Bomb blast in Afghan capital kills one police

KABUL, Jan. 4, 2011 (Xinhua) --

An explosive device went off in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday, killing one police officer and injuring three others including two civilians, an official of the Interior Ministry said.

"The explosive device was planted in a bag when the shopkeepers discovered it and informed police. Bomb disposal team came to the site and began defusing but suddenly it exploded killing one police officer on the spot and injuring three others including one policeman and two passersby," the unnamed official told Xinhua, adding the outcome of investigation would be released.

The incident occurred at 08:00 a.m. local time (GMT 0430) in Muradkhani area close to the Presidential Palace and the Defense Ministry.

In a previous suicide bomb attack in Kabul on December 19 for which Taliban claimed responsibility, five Afghan army personnel were killed and 10 others sustained injuries.

Editor: Yang Lina

US-led forces kill 2 Afghan villagers

Press TV, Wed Jan 5, 2011 7:37AM

Civilians are the main victims of the US-led military operations in Afghanistan. US-led foreign troops in Afghanistan have killed two Afghan villagers during an operation in the eastern Wardak province, witnesses say.

Locals reported that the foreign troops killed two civilians in Adam Kheil village of the war-torn country on Wednesday.

NATO says the two Afghan nationals were Taliban members.

Afghan civilian deaths at the hands of US-led foreign forces have drawn widespread public anger during nine years of war.

The US-led foreign forces claim their military operations target militants, but the civilians have been the main victims.

Civilian casualties have been also a frequent source of tensions between Kabul and the foreign forces. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly urged the United States to pay more attention to the protection of civilian lives during military operations.

The United Nations says the death toll of Afghan civilians this year is 20 percent higher than in 2009, with over 2,400 civilians killed in the country from January to September.

MSH/HRF

Anti-US rally held in Afghanistan

Press TV, Tue Jan 4, 2011 5:10PM

Hundreds of people in central Afghanistan have held a demonstration to protest what they call uncoordinated operations by US-led foreign forces stationed in the war-ravaged country.

The protest comes a day after foreign forces carried out an operation in one of Ghazni's districts.

The protesters say the US-led foreign forces entered residents' homes and arrested a number of civilians.

They say the troops also desecrated the Holy Quran.

The demonstrators have called on Ghazni's governor to respond to that operation and release the arrested people.

Officials in Ghazni and foreign troops have not yet commented on the incident.

The Kabul government says the US-led military alliance is violating security agreements by killing Afghan security guards and civilians.

The Afghan Interior Ministry said in late December NATO was violating a security agreement it had signed with the Kabul government based on which all NATO operations in Kabul must be cleared with the government.

Afghans say the US-led forces disregard local culture and they have targeted hundreds of civilians in different parts of the war-torn country.

The Afghan Interior Ministry said on Sunday that 2010 has been the deadliest year for civilians since the US-led invasion in 2001.

The ministry's spokesman said more than 2,000 civilians lost their lives in violence across Afghanistan last year.

He said nearly 1,300 Afghan police officers were killed and over 2,000 more injured last year.

Civilian casualties caused by NATO attacks have been a major source of tension between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the US-led alliance.

Over 150,000 foreign troops are currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan blast kills one, injures 4

Press TV, Tue Jan 4, 2011 4:49AM

Afghan police have cordoned off the scene of explosion in the center of Afghan capital, Kabul on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. An explosive device has gone off in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul, leaving one policeman dead and four people injured.

The blast hit a busy market near the Afghan Defense Ministry during the morning rush hour on Tuesday, a Press TV correspondent reported.

"A policeman was killed and civilian wounded in a blast in Pul-e-Yakpaisaghi in the inner city,' said Khalil Dastiyar, deputy police chief in Kabul.

"We don't know the cause of the explosion or who did it. An investigation is going on," Dastiyar said.

About two weeks ago, a blast targeting an Afghan National Army bus left five military personnel dead.

Violence has escalated in Afghanistan in recent months with militants staging regular attacks on civilians, government officials and foreign troops.

The Afghan interior ministry said on Sunday that 2010 has been the deadliest year for civilians since the US-led invasion in 2001.

The ministry's spokesman said more than 2,000 civilians lost their lives in violence across Afghanistan.

He said nearly 1,300 Afghan police officers were killed and over 2,000 more injured last year.

Afghans blame foreign troops and their military operations for the civilian deaths. The rising number of civilian casualties has increased anti-US sentiments in the troubled region.

Civilian casualties caused by NATO attacks have been a major source of tension between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the US-led alliance.

About 150,000 NATO troops are currently fighting in Afghanistan with plans to stay in the war-torn country beyond 2014.

This is while US President Barack Obama had pledged a major drawdown from Afghanistan by July 2011. Experts have described the new transition dates as a devastating truth for Americans.

Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus has recently hinted that the Western military alliance will increase its operations along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

"We want to do more hammer and anvil operations," Petraeus said in late December.

Analysts say the US is looking for an excuse to expand its military operations in the troubled South and central Asian regions to secure bases near Russia and China.

HSH/HRF

More civilians killed in Afghan war

Press TV, Mon Jan 3, 2011 7:5PM

Bombings and shootings have killed at least five civilians in separate incidents in western and northern Afghanistan.

On Monday, a bomb exploded outside a butcher's shop in the western province of Heart, leaving one dead and four others wounded.

The shop supplies meat to the Afghan army. Local officials believe the bomb targeted security forces.

On Sunday, gunmen opened fire in a mosque in the northern province of Baghlan, killing four civilians. The motive behind the attack is not clear yet.

Violence has escalated in Afghanistan in recent months with militants staging regular attacks on civilians, government officials and foreign troops.

The Afghan interior ministry said on Sunday that 2010 has been the deadliest year for civilians since the US-led invasion in 2001.

The ministry's spokesman said more than 2,000 civilians lost their lives in violence across Afghanistan.

He said nearly 1,300 Afghan police officers were killed and over 2,000 more injured last year.

Afghans blame foreign troops and their military operations for the civilian deaths. The rising number of civilian casualties has increased anti-US sentiments in the troubled region.

Civilian casualties caused by NATO attacks have been a major source of tension between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the US-led alliance.

Over 150,000 foreign troops are currently stationed in Afghanistan.

JR/AKM/MMN

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