Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
May 5, 2016

An Afghan official says a roadside bombing has killed five civilians and wounded five others in a remote northwestern province.

Local police said on May 5 that the explosion took place in the district of Qadis in Badghis Province.

Police said a van carrying civilians hit the roadside bomb in the morning on May 4.

Afghan authorities blamed the Taliban for the attack, although no one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. Authorities suspect the device may have been detonated remotely.

Last month, the Taliban proclaimed their spring offensive and a week later, launched a massive attack in the capital, Kabul, which killed 64 people.

On April 30, the Afghan Defense Ministry announced that government forces had launched operations against the Taliban in 18 provinces of Afghanistan.

The operations, backed by air power and artillery, have been concentrated in areas where the Taliban insurgents have been aggressively challenging government forces.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters