Herat Explosion claims four lives

HERAT CITY (PAN): At least four civilians were killed and three others injured in a landmine blast in western Herat province, officials said on Sunday.

The explosion took place late on Saturday when residents tried to defuse the landmine planted by insurgents in the Taqcha area of Pashtun Zarghun district, the Herat police spokesman said.

Col. Noor Khan Niakzad told Pajhwok Afghan News four civilians died and three others were wounded. The injured were evacuated to a district hospital in stable condition.

But Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, claimed six militiamen were killed in theexplosion.

Meanwhile, a truck carrying supplies for NATO-led troops was torched in the Siya Gard district of central Parwan province. The truck was on its way to central Bamyan province when the rebels intercepted it in the Rangab area, district police chief Col. Jamil Badakhshi said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed eight private security guards, escorting an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) logistic convoy, were killed and two military vehicles damaged during an hour-long clash.

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