Afghanistan: Truck bomb kills at least six, wounds dozens

A truck bomb targeting an Afghan special forces base in an eastern province killed at least six people and wounded dozens, officials said on Thursday.

The blast was the latest in a wave of attacks launched by Taliban insurgents and their allies since most foreign troops withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of last year.

"The bomb was huge and it was carried by a mini-truck," said Aleem Fedaee, the governor of Logar province, where the blast took place. "It inflicted a lot of damage to the civilians and broke windows even a kilometre away."

Three soldiers and three civilians were among the dead, he added.

Thirteen wounded civilians were taken to a hospital about 200 metres (660 ft) from the site of the blast, a doctor at the hospital said.

He added that the explosion also wounded 11 doctors in the hospital, in the provincial capital of Pul-i-Alam, about 100 km (62 miles) from Kabul.

Afghan troops have been battling a rising insurgency that has killed and wounded thousands of soldiers, police and civilians since the beginning of the year.

There have been almost 5,000 civilian casualties in Afghanistan in the first half of the year, U.N. figures show.

related articles
Afghanistan: Seven dead after gunmen open fire on Muslim clerics

Gunmen opened fire on a gathering of Afghan Muslim clerics in the southern province of Helmand, killing seven people, police said on Wednesday.

Taliban attack on Kabul guest house leaves at least five dead
Taliban attack on Kabul guest house leaves at least five dead

An American and two Indians were among those confirmed killed in the brutal assault.

New Osama bin Laden documents show fixation with attacking America
New Osama bin Laden documents show fixation with attacking America

Newly released documents include a job application for jihadis.

US soldier who massacred 19 Afghan civilians is baptised and \'prays every day\' in prison
US soldier who massacred 19 Afghan civilians is baptised and 'prays every day' in prison

A former US army soldier who murdered 16 Afghan civilians in 2012 has been baptised in prison, and says he prays every day.

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.