Death toll from Herat blasts rises

HERAT CITY (PAN): The death toll from Monday’s two back-to-back bomb attacks in western Herat province increased to eight after three more critically injured people succumbed to their wounds in hospital, an official said on Tuesday.

At least 41 were injured in the twin explosions, with one blowing up the gate of the Italian-led provincial reconstruction team’s compound, and the second hitting a convoy of foreign troops.

“Three of the 33 wounded civilians died of their injuries at the Herat Civil Hospital on Tuesday,” a spokesman for the hospital, Mohammad Shafiq Sherzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Eight were brought to hospital late due to clashes between security forces and the attackers, Sherzai said. Four of them were taken to Iran after their condition was discussed with officials at the Iranian consulate. Four other civilians were in critical condition, he said.

Police spokesman, Abdul Rauf Ahmadi, said life losses in Monday’s attacks were discussed at a joint meeting of Afghan soldiers, police and ISAF officials.

The blasts were followed by a fierce clash between militants and security forces in Jada-i-Mahtab and Cinema Chowk areas around noon, according to Ahmadi.

Ten Italian troops at the PRT compound were wounded when gunmen opened fire at them from a nearby house.

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