Roadside landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have killed and injured 860 civilians over the previous nine months. Addressing a news conference here, Interior Ministry spokesman Zmaray Bashari said mine and IED explosions in different parts of the country had killed 227 civilians during that period. He said risk of mines and IEDs were eminent due to non-availability of modern detection equipment with the Afghan security forces.

Deputy spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Major Charles Anthony and head of the explosives and IED branch of the Defence Ministry Brig. Gen. Muhammad Shafi Bahir were also present on the occasion.

Bahir told journalists that the 'enemies' were using mines and IEDs as they were unable to engage in direct encounter with the security forces.

To a question, he said that no Iranian made landmines had been discovered in the country.

Major Charles Anthony said the opposition had planted 1,600 landmines during one year. He said the opposition must know that they could not deter the international forces from their mission through such tactics.

He added 78 civilians had been killed in landmine explosions during the last two and a half weeks. All those mines were planted by the opposition

Major Anthony said 600 Afghan policemen were undergoing mine detection training. They would be provided with modern equipment after completion of their training programme, said the spokesman.

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