Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Taliban blamed for Afghan wedding carnage
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Taliban blamed for Afghan wedding carnage
AFP - 57 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
Taliban blamed for Afghan wedding carnage
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: War On Terror
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - – NATO on Thursday blamed the Taliban for a suicide attack that killed at least 40 Afghan wedding guests in an area where US-led troops are massing to drive insurgents from their fiefdom.
Officials said a suicide bomber strapped with explosives had walked into Wednesday's wedding party -- which relatives said was attended by members of an anti-Taliban militia -- and unleashed a deadly hail of ballbearings.
The Taliban, who are leading a nearly nine-year insurgency against the Western-backed government and the estimated 142,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, denied responsibility and blamed a NATO airstrike for the deaths.
More than 70 people were wounded when the explosion ripped through the celebrations in Arghandab district, 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Kandahar city, local officials said.
Most of the victims were male as the explosion occurred in an area of the wedding festivities reserved for men, they said.
The groom's brother, Mohammad Zanif, told AFP: "My brother was wounded. We don't know what happened. There was an enormous explosion and as a result everyone there was either killed or injured."
The groom is a policeman and his colleagues were attending the wedding, Kandahar Governor Turiyalai Wisa told a news conference Thursday.
"A suicide attack was the cause of this bloody incident," he said.
"The casualties are massive but so far we have been able to confirm 40 people killed and another 78 wounded, which includes 14 children," the provincial governor said.
"Our investigation is ongoing and the casualty toll might rise. Most of the wounded are in critical condition, and some of them unfortunately may lose their lives."
NATO Lieutenant General Nick Parker said: "This ruthless violence brought to the Afghan people at what should have been a time for celebration demonstrates the Taliban's sickening and indiscriminate tactics."
But the Taliban, who routinely deny causing civilian casualties, blamed the bloodshed on NATO bombing and offered condolences.
"This is a disaster. We blame the foreign forces and the Afghan government for this calamity. We pray for the quick recovery of the wounded and patience for the families of those martyred," Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP.
Kandahar is the focus of a massive build-up by US-led military forces trying to drive the Taliban from their spiritual homeland and end their bloody insurgency.
Wednesday's explosion came during a particularly bloody week for foreign forces with 23 international soldiers killed, including four US servicemen who died when a NATO helicopter was shot down in neighbouring Helmand province.
US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen offered condolences after the wedding attack and warned that more bloodshed was expected. Related article: US military chief grieves for Afghan wedding deaths
"We will succeed in Afghanistan. We will prevent that country from ever becoming a safe haven again, but it will be a slow, messy and often deadly business," he said in Washington.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the military expected a "high level of violence, particularly this summer" as coalition forces move into areas controlled by the Taliban.
Relatives told AFP that the groom and other wedding guests were members of an anti-Taliban militia set up with the support of US Special Forces.
Brigadier General Ben Hodges, head of US forces in the south, told AFP that US Special Forces were helping villages organise their own protection against Taliban militants.
"There are some programmes where special forces units are out in a village stability programme where they might find a large village and then help train the locals to defend themselves," Hodges said.
The Taliban rejected a "peace jirga" hosted by President Hamid Karzai last week with a view to coaxing militant fighters to lay down their weapons.
The jirga was marred by a rocket attack for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, prompting two of Karzai's top security officials to resign.
US troops have been in Afghanistan since the invasion to topple the Taliban regime which gave safe haven to Al-Qaeda and refused to surrender Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Japan prosecutors seek jail for anti-whaling man AFP - 32 minutes ago
N.Zealand police to probe Google over privacy AFP - 48 minutes ago
S.Korean government website hit by cyber attacks AFP - 1 hour 12 minutes ago
Death is no escape from Internet in Hong Kong AFP - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
N.Korea vows punishment for China border deaths AFP - 1 hour 48 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Blackhawks snap NHL's longest Stanley Cup drought
Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
Costner touts technology for Gulf spill cleanup
Abu Dhabi to build 'world's largest' solar plant
Athens rejects default rumours as economy slumps
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
British students given 'sexy high-heel lessons'
Obama 'would have fired BP chief'
Abu Dhabi to build 'world's largest' solar plant
Finland slips back into surprise recession
Austerity anger grows in Europe
More Most Viewed »
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
The point about pain: New study sheds light on acupuncture
Clashes as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid boat: Hamas TV
Egypt unearths tomb of pharaonic army chief
Physicists solve mystery of missing neutrinos
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 10 June 2010 Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
French hostage in Somalia asks help for release: SITE
Google gives itself a jolt of 'Caffeine'
UN slaps fourth set of sanctions on Iran
Abu Dhabi to build 'world's largest' solar plant
Estonia helps Afghan parliament with e-voting
UN hits Iran with new sanctions
Athens rejects default rumours as economy slumps
Rights group charge Turkey for Internet clampdown
Taliban down NATO helicopter in bloody week for alliance
British students given 'sexy high-heel lessons'
Zynga launches new Facebook game, 'FrontierVille'
Russia 'trusts and believes' in the Euro: Putin
Dutch vote seen deadlocked
|
Putin says "too early to predict my future"
Italian government calls confidence vote on wiretap law
|
Copter shot down in Afghanistan; 4 Americans dead
Somali group issues video of French hostage
|
Darfur rebels free 35 Sudan army prisoners
|
China stresses dialogue, negotiation on Iran
Uzbekistan, China pledge closer energy and security ties
Indonesian police probe celebrities over sex videos
Seven killed as gunmen torch NATO trucks in Pakistan
S.Lanka president's India visit marred by protests
Target Nearly Doubles Quarterly Dividend
Woman Having Sex On Picnic Table Charged With Adultery, Public Lewdness
Bernanke Says Recovery On Track, But Employment May Lag
US Silent Films Come Home From New Zealand
Google protests Apple's iPhone developers agreement
|
Japan finance chief says won't pressure central bank
U.N. Security Council Imposes New Sanctions On Iran
Animal Deaths From Oil Spill Only Now Becoming Known
Motorola: Droid sales extremely strong
|
David Tennant Joins Colin Farrell In Upcoming "Fright Night" Remake
Game makers gear up for splashiest E3 yet
|
Texas Principal Fired For Child Neglect
Ashley Tisdale Starts Production On "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure"
Violent videogames harmless for most kids: studies
|
World Bank: India To Grow 8 Percent In 2011
'Time' for Spanish photo festival to open
Brazil's prosperity bursts forth on catwalk
600 watch 'The Cove' in Tokyo despite protest
Maalouf wins Spain's Prince of Asturias award
Johannesburg: A Tale of Two Cities
W.Cup concert, opening ceremony to have African vibe
Jack Johnson sets sail at No. 1 on U.S. pop chart
|
A-Team a remake? That's idiotic says director
|
Soweto concert to get fans warmed up for World Cup
|
Shakira gives dance lesson in South Africa township
|
Paramount revives hit film Ghost in Japan
|
Katy Perry rules singles chart with summer anthem
|
Taliban blamed for Afghan wedding carnage
Ten rebels killed in Chechnya
U.N. council hits defiant Iran with new sanctions
|
Hackers obtain email addresses of iPad 3G owners
Afghan wedding 'attack' kills more than 40
Suicide bomber kills dozens at Afghan wedding party
|
Second Life creator Linden Lab laying off staff
Liberals draw one seat ahead of Labour in Dutch vote
Blackhawks snap NHL's longest Stanley Cup drought
Austerity-minded Liberals lead in Dutch poll
|
US, Europe welcome fresh UN sanctions
Partial results point to deadlock in Dutch election
Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
Google says Apple terms would bar its ads on iPhones
Jack Johnson Earns Third #1 Album With "To The Sea"
Global cyber security experts to meet in Estonia
Costner touts technology for Gulf spill cleanup
Suicide attack kills 40 at Afghan wedding party
North Korea seeks to soothe China over border shootings
|
Liberals, Labour tie Dutch vote: exit poll
China wants more dialogue on Iran nuclear issue
Russia detains top Caucasus rebel leader: official
Skepticism reigns as Thai PM makes reconciliation bid
|
Afghan ex-spy boss opposes talking to Taliban
S.Korean government website hit by cyber attacks
Death is no escape from Internet in Hong Kong
N.Korea vows punishment for China border deaths
Mexico seethes over fatal US border shooting of teen
Sri Lanka arrests kissing couples
China journalists robbed at World Cup
Jennifer Aniston To Play Her Sexiest Role Yet In "Horrible Bosses"
Ahmadinejad due in China after sanctions slap
AT&T: iPad user data exposed via security flaw
|
California Passes Expanded Anti-Paparazzi Law
Jack Johnson Earns Third #1 Album With "To The Sea"
China housing activist maintains defiant stand
Detroit Council Seeks Better Hiring Chance For Felon Job Applicants
US presses China to rein in N.Korea
Congress Considers Removing Oil Company Liability Cap for Spills
Blockade in Indian state hits supplies to region
U.S. Markets Finish Lower As Energy Names Weigh
S.Korean activists protest visit by Israel's Peres
S.Korea's Samsung to invest in US plant
Japan growth revised higher in first quarter
China trade surplus soars in May on export boom
Foxconn stops payments to suicide workers' families
S.Korea freezes key rate for 16th month
Soccer City stadium springs out of mine dumps
Honda says two China plants remain closed
Attack throws light on London's urban foxes
Exhibition opens wardrobes of opera's super stars
Football fever grips township
US lawmakers see action on yuan in two weeks
US unveils new passport rules for transgender people
China accused of 'honey laundering' by US senator
Evita comes back to Broadway, with Ricky Martin in tow
Bank of Korea keeps rate at record low 2 percent
5,500-year leather mocassin world's oldest shoe
Britney Spears' ex-manager, mom escalate legal feud
|
Foxconn considering Taiwan production
Thinking man's mystery: Stolen Descartes letter returned
Which sitcom actresses rarely watch their shows?
|
US author Kingsolver wins top book award for women
Ricky Martin to star in Evita on Broadway
|
Bourne goes back to basics
|
British PM visits Afghanistan, rules out more troops
Internet memorial site launched in Hong Kong
Kandahar mission 'to go slower than planned': NATO
BP shares slump as Obama tightens screws
British PM visits Afghanistan
Spain labor talks fail
|
BP shares slide on oil spill fallout
Fergie Releasing Outspoken Avon Fragrance
Dodd Calls On Yale University To Return Artifacts To Peru
McChrystal sees slower pace for Kandahar operation
|
Pirate fishing takes root off West African coast
|
Passport Rules Change For Transgendered Travelers
Suicide attack kills 40 at Afghan wedding party
Star Jones Writing Novel About "The View"-Like Show
Congolese retrial condemns two Norwegians to death
|
NJ Terror Suspects Scheduled To Appear In Court
Iran election anniversary rally called off
|
Arizona Authorities Drop Case Against Warren Jeffs
Police arrest second accomplice in Serb PM's killing
|
PA Environmental Officials Suspend Contractor In Natural Gas Blowout
Tom Cruise To Reprise Les Grossman Role In Planned Film
Uninsured At Increased Risk Of Dying In The Hospital
Texting, Talking While Driving Almost As Dangerous As Drunk Driving, Doctor Says
S.Korea rocket blows up minutes after blast-off
Obama 'to help' Philippine president-elect quit smoking
Australia stuntman sets ball tricks record
World Cup fever infects millions in Asia
Global warming spells doom for Asia's rivers
Japan prosecutors seek jail for anti-whaling man
NZ minister admits putting porn on expenses
Apple faces U.S. antitrust scrutiny: report
|
N.Zealand police to probe Google over privacy
Chinese thirst drives oil demand: IEA
Japan growth data, Fed comments lift Asian stocks
Hollywood revives television's 'A-Team'
Sands' Singapore resort sued by Asian lawyer group
Strikes put China on spot over labor unrest
Israeli author scoops German literary peace prize
Hollywood revives television's 'A-Team'
Hollywood's Most Influential Celebrities
The Most Dangerous Job In Vegas
Music's New Entrepreneurs
Hollywood's Hardest-Working Actors
Susan Boyle expected to sing for the Pope
|
Why Hollywood Loves A Remake
DEVO returns with fan-driven album
|
A-Team a remake? That's idiotic says director
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights