Afghanistan - pre-election violence

Eleven family members killed in explosions

Article published on the 2009-08-13 Latest update 2009-08-13 08:30 TU

Afghan policemen inspect cars in Herat, western Afghanistan
(Photo : Reuters)

Two explosions in Afghanistan have killed up to 14 people, including 11 members of one family. Bomb attacks are increasing in the country ahead of elections next week.

One roadside bomb on Wednesday hit a minivan carrying a family of 12 in Helmand province. One young girl aged six survived the blast which killed everyone else aboard.

Three boys aged between six and 11 were killed in a separate roadside explosion in Kandahar province.

And a US soldier was killed Wednesday by a roadside bomb, also in Helmand province where US marines are involved in a pre-election offensive.

Helmand and Kandahar provinces are both renowned Taliban strongholds where violence is increasing in the run up to election polls on August 20^th.

The United Nations says that in the first six months of 2009, more than 1000 civilians have been killed. The figure has gone up a quarter since the the first six months of 2008.