Taliban rejects ‘propaganda’

The Taliban has dismissed as Western propaganda UN reports that its roadside bombs are causing the bulk of civilian casualties in the war in Afghanistan.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the guerrillas only use improvised explosive devices to target foreign troops and the Afghan security forces. He said the UN reports are aimed at preventing the guerrillas from using the weapons that have caused about half of the casualties suffered by coalition forces.

Yesterday, the UN mission in Afghanistan urged the insurgents to end the use of roadside bombs, saying they were by far the biggest killer of civilians in the conflict.