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Afghan Troops in Kandahar Battle Insurgents for Second Day

   VOA News  May 08, 2011
   A NATO military vehicle crosses the empty street after gunmen launched
   an attack on the compound of the governor of Kandahar province in
   Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2011

Photo: AP

   A NATO military vehicle crosses the empty street after gunmen launched
   an attack on the compound of the governor of Kandahar province in
   Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2011

   Afghan troops battled with the Taliban for a second day Sunday in the
   southern city of Kandahar.
   Afghan officials say militants have killed at least three people in the
   two-day assault, while 46 people have been wounded, including 24
   security personnel. Officials say at least a dozen militants have died.
   The Taliban launched a deadly series of coordinated attacks throughout
   Kandahar Saturday when the militants attacked Kandahar's governor's
   compound with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. The attack
   spread to the local offices of the intelligence service and several
   police offices.
   Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned the attacks, saying the
   Taliban and al-Qaida were using the violence to hide their weakness
   following the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in Pakistan.
   On Friday, the Taliban issued a statement saying that bin Laden's death
   would be a boost to the insurgency. However, a Taliban spokesman said
   Saturday's assault was not a revenge attack.
   The Taliban recently announced the start of its annual spring
   offensive, which sees an increased number of attacks.

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