KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - President Hamid Karzai condemned the "enemies of Afghanistan" on Wednesday after roadside bombs killed nine people, including five children, as insurgents fight intensified NATO-led operations in the south.
Meanwhile, NATO and Afghan forces reported killing 16 militants - including a "shadow" governor of a northern province.
In the roadside bombings Tuesday night in Kandahar city, Interior Ministry said nine people were killed and 30 injured, including many police officers. The blasts targeted a police vehicle and ripped through an intersection - a day after four officers died in coordinated bombings that were also aimed at police.
Karzai strongly condemned the latest attack.
"The enemies of Afghanistan, far from following Islamic principles, are targeting civilians including children," a statement from his office said.
Control of Kandahar, the Taliban movement's birthplace, is seen as key to reversing Taliban momentum in the war. Afghan and NATO forces are engaged in a major operation there, dubbed Dragon Strike, to keep insurgents from staging attacks inside the city. In response, Taliban have intensified a campaign targeting police and local officials.
On Monday, Noor Ahman, deputy mayor in Kandahar, was also killed in an insurgent attack, and later in the day, Habibullah Aghonzada, a former district chief in Arghistan, was gunned down by assailants as he prayed at a packed mosque.
NATO described the two as "dedicated public servants who sought to improve the lives of their fellow countrymen."
The Taliban said Tuesday the NATO-led operation was doomed to fail.
"America is operating in the districts of Kandahar, but the result will be that they will walk out with blood-filled, empty hands," Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef said. "They could not achieve victory in nearly a decade ... this shows they never will."
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the operation was scattering insurgents from the restive region.
"Dragon Strike is continuing to put the pressure on these guys. Those who have remained and dug in and who are determined to fight are feeling enormous pressure ... The Taliban is clearly feeling it."
The NATO coalition is also fighting an uphill battle to win the allegiance of people in Kandahar.
"When only the Taliban were ruling our land there was peace and tranquility. Since the Americans have set foot on our land, we don't have work and our health is no better," said Naseebullah Ghamjam, a 38-year-old laborer. "All we have seen is that Americans have constructed exceptionally massive compounds for themselves."
Resident Azizullah Saiyal, 29, said citizens have little trust in the international community or Afghan government officials.
coppied by http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/06/ap/asia/main6931066.shtml
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