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    July 02, 2011

13 Killed in Afghan Bomb Blast

   VOA News

   Officials in southern Afghanistan say a roadside bomb has ripped
   through a van, killing 13 civilians, including two children and four
   women.
   Authorities say the people were killed Saturday morning when their
   vehicle struck the device in ((the Shamulzayi district of)) Zabul
   province.
   The French news agency reports at least 11 of the dead were from the
   same family.
   Local officials say the group was thought to be Afghan refugees
   returning from Pakistan.
   Roadside bombs, planted by militants who have been waging an insurgency
   against foreign forces for nearly 10 years, are a frequent cause of
   casualties among civilians in Afghanistan.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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