By Xinhua,
Kabul : Three Canadian soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed by insurgents attack on Wednesday in southern Afghanistan, said an ISAF statement released here on Thursday.
“We have the utmost respect and admiration for the ISAF troops who operate in this challenging environment,” said Richard Blanchette, an ISAF spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, the purported Taliban spokesman, took responsibility for the attack and told Xinhua via phone from an unknown hideout that NATO convoy hit roadside mines planted by Taliban militants in Jalai district in southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province Wednesday evening, leaving six ISAF soldiers dead and wounded.
Afghanistan has witnessed the surge of Taliban attacks on international forces, Afghan troops and even foreign aid groups during past months when the anti-government militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.
Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left over 3,200 people dead, including over 800 civilians, since January this year in the war-torn country.