11 civilians killed in southern Afghan blast

Some 11 civilians were killed in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Saturday, provincial government spokesman said.

"Eleven civilians were travelling on a tri-cycle in Bolan, an area in outskirts of Lashkar Gah at around mid-day. The vehicle touched off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and the blast caused all the people aboard the vehicle killed," Omar Zwak told Xinhua.

He blamed Taliban militants for planting the IED along the road in the province, 555 km south of Afghan capital of Kabul.

The Taliban has been using IEDs to target security forces but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians, according to military officials.

More than 3,540 civilians were killed and over 7,450 others injured in 2015 as violence spread in different places of the country, according to figures released by UN mission in Afghanistan.

Out of the casualties, 713 civilians were killed and more than 1,650 injured by IED attacks last year.

Source : XINHUA