Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan

Hometown: Bagram Air Field, , AF

Five Afghan civilians survive latest insurgent attack in Arghistan

05.13.2013 | ARGHISTAN DISTRICT, AF
Story by Spc. Tyffani Chaney

ARGHISTAN DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Five Afghan civilians survived the tragic blast that tore their vehicle apart, killing at least 14 others. The blast occurred when the vehicle in which they were riding struck an insurgent-emplaced improvised explosive device (IED) in the Arghistan district of Kandahar province, May 13.

The five wounded victims, three children and two adults, are reported to be in stable condition, and were transferred from the Afghan National Army’s (ANA) Kandahar Regional Military Hospital to Mirwais Hospital early May 14 for additional recovery.

The youngest of the injured victims was a young girl approximately 2 years old, and the oldest a 62-year-old man. The elderly Afghan man underwent abdominal surgery before he and the other four victims were deemed stable enough to be released to nearby Mirwais Hospital.

In addition to the quality care given by the staff of ANA’s Kandahar Regional Military Hospital, the wounded were initially kept alive by first responders from the Afghan Border Patrol, the Afghan Local Police (ALP), and the United States Special Forces.

Witnesses described the scene as having pieces of the civilian vehicle strewn over 100 meters away from the blast and several bodies scattered throughout the area. Many Afghan civilians arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion and began separating the wounded from the dead.

Investigation into Monday’s blast is ongoing, but it is believed the explosives used were composed of homemade explosives, commonly used by Taliban militants. These bombs frequently kill innocent Afghan men, women and children.

“This is the work of people who do not like Afghanistan,” said Kandahar Provincial Governor Tooryalai Wesa. “There is no excuse for such acts in Islam or in Afghan culture.”

In response to the insurgent attack, ALP and other Afghan National Security Forces increased security in Arghistan by conducting more frequent counter-IED patrols. Additionally, Ma’Ruf District Chief of Police Nadir Khan and Arghistan District Chief of Police Bismullah plan on meeting to create increased security measures in the region.

These attacks demonstrate the insurgency’s fear of a strong Afghan people, the ANSF, and leadership the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.