Taliban claims responsibility for serial bombings in S. Afghanistan

The Taliban early on Sunday through its website claimed responsibility for the multiple bombings Saturday night in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar city.

The Taliban said in a statement on the website that the attacks, which killed at least 27 people and injured over 52, was "a message" for the NATO commander General Stanley McChrystal, who announced to launch a crackdown on the Taliban in Kandahar province this summer.

Four suicide bombers riding two motor cycles and two bicycles targeted Kandahar prison, police department, a guest house in Al- Jadid market and a mosque at around 08:15 p.m. local time, a local police officer said.

"Hospital in Kandahar city have received 27 dead bodies including police and civilians and 52 more police and ordinary citizens were injured in the suicide blasts that shocked Kandahar city this evening," director of health department in Kandahar city Abdul Qayum Pukhla told Xinhua.

However, locals said that the number of casualties could be higher as some families have already taken the bodies of their nears to home.

The multiple attacks occurred amid security forces preparation to launch a major offensive against Taliban militants in Kandahar.

Commander of NATO-led troops in Afghanistan General Stanly McChrystal said days ago that Taliban hideouts would be attacked in Kandahar soon to ensure lasting peace there.

Source:Xinhua