Afghan militancy, conflicts claim 23 lives, 53 injured in 2 days

Militancy and counter-militancy have claimed 23 lives and 53 injured in the war-weary Afghanistan over the past two days, officials confirmed Saturday.

In the latest violent incident, unknown armed men presumably Taliban loyalists gunned down a provincial government official in the central Wardak province on Saturday morning.

"Pir Mohammad Kuchi the finance in-charge of provincial administration was on way to his office when two unknown armed men riding a motorbike intercepted his car and opened fire killing him on the spot," spokesman for Wardak provincial government Attaullah Khogiani told reporters.

The deadly attack took place next to the Governor House at around 08:00 a.m. local time and the attackers made their good escape, the official said.

He also blamed the enemies of peace, a reference to the Taliban militants.

In another violent incident, 11 persons were injured as bomb blast rocked Saigurd district in Parwan province with Charicar as its capital 55 km north of national capital Kabul on Saturday, a local official said.

"Eleven people including eight civilians and three local police sustained as a bomb placed in a pushcart went off in Siagurd district Saturday morning," district governor Mohammad Sayed Sediqi told local media.

Moreover, clash between Afghan forces and Taliban militants claimed 22 lives including five security personnel and injured 42 others in the northern Badakhshan province on Friday, deputy to provincial police chief Sakhidad Haidari said Saturday.

"The deadly clash erupted in Khostak area of Jarm district Friday morning and lasted till late night, during which 22 people including five security personnel and 17 Taliban rebels had been killed and 42 others including 30 rebels and 12 security personnel sustained injuries," Haidari told Xinhua.

Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in contact with media confirmed the conflict, but added only five insurgents had been killed and nine others injured in the clash lasted for hours.

Afghan conflicts usually get impetus in spring and summer, normally known as fighting season in the war-ravaged Afghanistan.