Taliban claims deadly Afghanistan blast

2013-01-25 12:04

Taliban soldiers (Picture: AP)

Kabul – The Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack in which reports say five people died and 15 were injured on Friday. The Taliban however claimed that the attack had killed 12 US soldiers.

"Twelve American soldiers were killed and two of their tanks were destroyed," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. Neither the US government nor the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the claim.

Provincial Governor Mehrabuddin Safi cited five civilians killed and 15 injured as the only victims of a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives-laden car next to a US military convoy in eastern Afghanistan.

"The incident took place this morning in Tagab district of Kapisa province, where a US military convoy was on the way," the official said.

US troops took over security responsibility when French soldiers withdrew from Kapisa province in November.

Safi said two houses nearby were destroyed in the attack.

ISAF confirmed the attack.

"According to our reports, there was a vehicle attack on the coalition convoy in Tagab district, but we have no reports of coalition deaths or injuries," said Les Carroll, an ISAF spokesperson.

Carroll did not specify if it was a US military convoy, but said a number of civilians were killed and injured.

- SAPA