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1 dies in Afghan varsity blast

Teacher killed in the all-women English classroom

KABUL: A small explosion went off on Monday in a classroom at a university in western Afghanistan, killing a teacher and wounding seven students, officials and police said.

The blast took place in an all-women's English class at Herat University, said Nasar Ahmed Piakar, director of the criminal department of Herat police.

Mr. Piakar said the explosive was hidden inside a trash can in the classroom. It did not contain shrapnel, he said.

Provincial Governor Sayed Hussain Anwari said the blast injured seven students and their teacher. The teacher later died of serious injuries, he said.

He suspected people who ``are against peace and stability. And they don't want education for women.''

Militants killed

The U.S.-led coalition forces killed 20 suspected Taliban-linked militants in the troubled Helmand province on Sunday, a press release of the U.S. army released here said on Monday.

``Twenty extremists were killed after attacking a coalition patrol with small arms and mortar fire in the Sangin District of Helmand Province on July 2,'' the press release added.

Two coalition soldiers were also wounded in the exchange of fire.

``Two coalition soldiers were wounded and transported to a coalition medical facility for treatment. They are in stable condition,'' it added. The Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the claim.

The incident occurred amid the increasing militancy in the southern region where a huge anti-Taliban operation — Mountain Thrust — is going on to wipe out militants and strengthen central government's control in the area.

A U.S. army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in the neighbouring Kandahar province on Sunday night killing one crewman and wounding another.

Two British soldiers were killed in militants' attack in Sangin district of the Helmand province on Saturday. — AP, Xinhua

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