Roadside bomb blast kills four troops in southern Afghanistan

A powerful roadside bomb explosion has claimed the lives of at least four members of the Afghan National Army in the troubled southern Afghanistan, security sources say.

The blast took place in the province of Zabul after an army vehicle carrying the soldiers hit an improvised explosive device (IED) on Monday.

At least one soldier was also wounded in the fatal blast.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Provincial police forces say the bomb had been planted by the Taliban militants.

The militants’ use of IED home-made bombs has posed major challenge for US-led troops as well as Afghan security forces through the years because they are difficult to detect.

Roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices are by far the most lethal weapons Taliban militants use against Afghan forces, foreign troops, and civilians.

The Taliban recently announced the start of their annual “offensive” across Afghanistan and vowed to increase their attacks on US-led troops stationed in the country as well as Afghan forces.

The US-led war in Afghanistan removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country, despite the presence of many US-led troops there.