3 Turks killed in bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan

Three Turkish engineers have been killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar.

Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor, said the attack was carried on Monday when a bomber targeted a minibus carrying workers from a Turkish construction company in the district of Behsud. Abdulzai added that the blast also wounded another engineer.

The Turkish company was working on a construction project in Behsud.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban militants often carry out such acts of violence.

The latest attack came as Afghanistan prepares to hold a run-off round of presidential polls on June 14 after last month’s election failed to give any candidate the majority needed to replace incumbent President Hamid Karzai.

The Taliban militants have increased their attacks against foreign and Afghan security forces as well as civilian targets ahead of the June voting.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.