Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
August 17, 2008

Thousands of Afghan Police Patrol Kabul on Eve of Independence Day
------------------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1DBCD44:A6F02AD83191E1602D8AC0E6BAA2EBFE2E7CA1C1B166B639&
 
In Kandahar province, police chief Mutillah Khan says 10 police officers
died overnight when their vehicle hit a bomb in the Shah Wali Kot
district 
 At least 5,000 police are patrolling the Afghan capital, Kabul, on the
eve of the country's Independence Day.

 The Interior Ministry described Sunday's security operation as the
biggest in Kabul since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. 

 The ministry said the measures aim to create an environment of trust
and disrupt potential threats.

 Officials say Monday's celebration marking Afghanistan's independence
from Britain 89 years ago will be smaller than in previous years.

 Militants disrupted the last major parade held in Kabul in April, by
shooting at the stage where President Hamid Karzai, senior officials and
diplomats were sitting.

 Mr. Karzai survived the assassination attempt, but three other people
were killed. 

 In southern Afghanistan today, authorities say Afghan soldiers killed
28 Taliban-linked rebels who attacked a convoy of supplies for foreign
troops in Zabul province.

 The officials say five private security guards also died in the
fighting Sunday. The battle lasted several hours along the main highway
linking Kabul to the country's southern and western regions. 

 In neighboring Kandahar province, police chief Mutillah Khan says 10
police officers died overnight when their vehicle hit a bomb in the Shah
Wali Kot district. 

 

 Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

 

 


.