Reuters: Bombers hit Afghanistan ahead of major holy day

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2006-10-20T110158Z_01_SP216081_RTRUKOC_0_US-AFGHAN.xml

Bombers hit Afghanistan ahead of major holy day

Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:02 AM ET

By Terry Friel

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed an Afghan soldier and wounded seven more in an eastern province bordering Pakistan on Friday, the army said.

The attack in Khost by a suicide bomber on foot came hours after an operation by U.S.-led coalition forces and Afghan troops killed a militant and captured four in the same province.

Despite offensives by NATO since it took command of the war against the Taliban from U.S. forces over recent weeks, violence has been mounting and attacks have occurred almost daily.

There have been several major bombings and clashes in recent days as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan draws to a close ahead of the start of Eid al-Fitr on Monday, the most important celebration in the Islamic calendar.

Fighting this year is the worst it has been since a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban's strict Islamist government in 2001 and more than 3,000 people, including more than 150 foreign soldiers, have been killed in the violence.

Copying tactics from Iraq, the Taliban and other insurgents are increasingly targeting the poorer trained and equipped Afghan military and police, as well as provincial and district officials and other government workers.

CIVILIAN DEATH MOUNT

In recent weeks, scores of civilians have been killed in a rising wave of suicide attacks.

NATO estimates more than 200 people have died in suicide bombings so far this year, compared with about 50-60 last year.

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[mourningdove92]

1. Mom freaking out here.

That is way too close to where my son is stationed. Damn, Damn, Damn. This is so hard.

[ninkasi]

2. I don't have to have any children there

to give you my support. I pray constantly for our troops, and for all innocent people subjected to these terrible wars. Every time I read about our casualties, I get sick. We should have never diverted people and equipment from Afghanistan to Iraq. Iraq had not attacked us, nor did it have the WMD that Bush, Cheney, Rummy,and all the rest were just so sure of.

We let Afghanistan slip through the cracks, and concentrated of taking down Saddam Hussein, just to satisfy Dubya's obsession to do what his daddy couldn't. Sending you a :hug: from one mom to another. I hope your son stays safe.

[mourningdove92]

3. Thank you for your support.

This is the hardest thing I have ever been through.