The U.S-led military coalition in Afghanistan says the number of attacks against foreign and local troops have increased in the past couple of months. The statement comes as insurgents killed three truck drivers taking vehicles to American forces in Southern Afghanistan.
Violence had dropped sharply during the unusually harsh winter in Afghanistan. But a spokeswoman for the U.S-led coalition forces, Lieutenant Cindy Moore, says insurgents linked to the ousted Taleban and the al-Qaida terror network have increased their anti-government activities in recent weeks.
Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, the spokeswoman said there is a constant threat in the country from roadside bombs, car bombs, and organized attacks by Taleban fighters.
"This shows that some in the Taleban or other anti-government insurgents will continue to try to destabilize Afghanistan through violent acts," said Lieutenant Moore.
Lieutenant Moore says Taleban fighters are launching attacks mainly in areas along the border with Pakistan. She says in the past few days, coalition forces have recovered a number of homemade bombs from the border region.
"The areas that might have increased activity primarily are along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan," she said. "There are other areas that have seen some attacks."
She says Pakistan is helping Afghan and coalition forces in their efforts to crush the insurgents.
The spokeswoman had no information on Friday's killings of three truck drivers in southern Afghanistan, but said coalition forces will aggressively pursue those trying to destabilize the country.
The three men, who were delivering vehicles to U.S. forces, were among several who have died in a string of attacks in recent days. In one of those attacks, a landmine blast killed four American soldiers south of Kabul.
Lieutenant Moore says the United States supports Afghan President Hamid Karzai's plan to offer an amnesty to all but the most hard-core Taleban fighters. She says that as a result of this policy, some former Taleban militants have decided to stop fighting.
