A suicide bomber killed at least ten people today in Maimanah, Afghanistan, including two American Soldiers, according to the Associated Press.
The suicide bomber was riding a motorcycle near the entrance of a park in Faryab province when he detonated his explosives. Police spokesman Lal Mohammad Ahmad Zai told reporters investigators are unsure exactly what or whom was being targeted.
NATO confirmed that the bombing killed three of its troops, but as is its policy, did not release the nationality of those killed. However, an anonymous senior U.S. defense official confirmed to the Associated Press that two of the service members killed were from the United States.
Abdul Haq Shafaq, Faryab’s governor, told the Los Angeles Times the suicide bomber may have been wearing an Afghan police uniform.
According to the L.A. Times:
The bombing in Faryab was the latest in a series of attacks by Taliban insurgents in recent weeks, a step-up that reflects the onset of the spring fighting season. During winter, fighting in Afghanistan typically slows, as heavy snow blankets mountain passes used by insurgents to get into the country from their safe havens in Pakistan’s largely lawless tribal areas.
CNN reports the Taliban is claiming responsibility for the attack:
