Kabul, April 17: A US-led soldier has been killed in a bombing in southern Afghanistan, bringing to almost 130 the number of foreign troops killed in the war-torn country this year.
The International Security Assistance Force service member died Saturday following an improvised explosive device attack, Afghanistan’s Pajhwok news agency cited a brief statement released by the military contingent.
The Taliban have concentrated their roughly ten-year fight against the US-led forces in Afghanistan’s southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar.
Roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are by far the most lethal weapon the Taliban have used against foreign troops, Afghan forces as well as civilians.
Afghan Interior Minister Zemarai Bashary said in a recent report that 2010 was the deadliest year for the civilians in the war-torn country since 2001.
Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians have lost their lives in US-led airstrikes and ground operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past few months, with Afghans becoming more outraged over the seemingly endless number of deadly assaults.
Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians have reportedly lost their lives as a consequence of displacement, starvation, lack of medical treatment, crime and lawlessness resulting from the war.
Deaths of civilians in NATO and US attacks have also fueled tensions between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Western allies.
——-Agencies