May 10 Kabul  

A suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan government employees in Kabul on Sunday, killing three people, in the second bus attack in just a week to strike the same area of the capital, a police official said.

Taliban insurgents quickly claimed the attack near the Afghan attorney general's office in the west of the capital.

Violence has continued in Afghanistan since the withdrawal of most foreign forces last year, with civilians frequent victims.

Sunday's bomber attacked a bus carrying workers from the attorney general's office home after work, witnesses and police said.

"As I was crossing the road, there was a huge blast and I saw 10 to 12 people were wounded," said bystander Mahboobullah, who, like many Afghans, uses only one name.

An official at the Ministry of Interior said initial reports indicated that three people had been killed and 10 wounded. He confirmed the bus had been carrying staff from the attorney general's office.

Last Monday, another suicide car bomber targeted a bus in the same area, killing one civilian and wounding 15 people.

The Taliban claimed both attacks. On Sunday, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the hardline Islamist movement had killed "18 high-ranking hirelings".

One of the most effective defences against rocket or mortar attack is the low-tech sandbag which absorbs the explosive force 

 

In its early days, Bagram Air Base was used to interrogate Taliban of Al Qaeda suspects before they were moved to Guantanamo Bay

The massive airbase used its size as part of its security, with several layers of defence to prevent large-scale insurgent attacks 

Next Thursday is Ascension Day - the day Jesus escaped from the Cave. The ever present Talibans are busy with their Spring offensive! So far 2,357 American soldiers fallen here in Afghanistan, almost all men and almost all aged 20-40 years. Hostile fire, helicopter crash, roadside blast, small arms fire - Green on Blue (Afghan soldiers turning their weapons against trainers), MIA - Missed in Action.. Some names not reported yet.. Homecoming for these identified - or unidentifiable - their coffins draped in the Stars and Stripes - the U.S Military developing all their heavy magnificence. For recipients, the silent and teary, it's "he" brought home - husband, father, son, lover, companion. A huge collective spectacle, but the grief is private, remembering his last words: "I Love you".

The temporary wooden structures are being demobilished to reflect the size of the far smaller international security operation in Afghanistan

U.S engineers converted 40ft shipping containers into accommodation units, which are now going to be scrapped as part of the withdrawal

Haunting images of abandoned Bagram airfield reveal the huge task of dismantling the largest US base in Afghanistan as forces prepare to leave 

 A tented city at Bagram Air Base which was once home to almost 40.000 people is being demolished as part of U.S withdrawal

•   Bagram air base in Afghanistan was once home to more than 40,000 people and supported 140,000 missions a year
• In October 2001 the U.S and NATO troops began a massive expansion of the facility to support the war effort
• Now, the outer perimeter is being reduced to account for the withdrawal of coalition combat troops from the country
• Some 13,000 support troops will remain in Afghanistan to train local security forces for a further two years
• The U.S ceased combat operations in Afghanistan on January 1, although limited air support is still offered

Dozens of people have risen up against the Taliban in northern Kunduz – where insecurity reached its peak over the past few weeks.  

Security sources told TOLOnews that the residents of Khan Abad, Qalai Zal, Chahar Dara and Ali Abad districts have been participating in the uprising backed by the security agencies.

The Police Chief of Kunduz, Abdul Saboor Nasrati, stated that the uprising is spreading in the province – causing a big blow to the Taliban and other militant groups.

This comes after hundreds of Taliban and Daesh militants attacked Kunduz as part of their spring offensive.

Initially, many feared Kunduz would fall into the hands of the Taliban. However, a massive anti-insurgent operation by the security forces brought the situation largely under control.

Over 200 insurgents were reportedly killed in the Kunduz battle.