10 Deminers Killed in Northern Afghanistan Attack

Heavy fighting across Afghanistan has continued apace through the week, and perhaps the ugliest turn was in northern Baghlan Province, where an unknown group of gunmen attacked and killed 10 people working on a demining operation, and wounding 16 others.

The mine-clearing operations were being organized by the non-profit HALO Trust, which was helping locals clear old minefields in this part of the country. It’s not clear who the attackers were or why they hit this site, but it’s hard to imagine they have specific problems with the demining operation.

Elsewhere in Balkh District, the fight over the police headquarters has continued, with a truckload of explosives destroying the district building outright and damaging the police headquarters. 16 were reported killed in this latest attack, including 2 civilians. 117 were wounded, 67 of them were civilians.

Fighting was also reported in Faryab, Jawzjan, and Sar-e Pul Provinces. A journalist was reported killed in Logarr Province, though it’s not clear if he was deliberately targeted. The journalist was killed while working in his garden.