Afghan wedding attacks aimed at anti-Taliban guests: Report

The blast that ripped through a wedding celebration in an Afghan village,killing 40 people,appears to have been aimed at 17 guests of an anti-Taliban guard group encouraged by the Americans.

The blast occurred late on Wednesday night in a housing compound in a Kandahar village where men had gathered during the wedding festivities,and children were among the dead and wounded.

The anti-Taliban guard organisation that was the likely target was initially encouraged by the American Special Operations Forces in the conflict-ridden nation.

The commander of the group,Mohammed Nabi Kako,said the village defense force is homegrown and home-financed,the New York Times said.

While the Americans supported the efforts initially,they never followed up with any assistance or ammunition.

8220;The Americans,they promised me that 8216;if you find the men,we will provide weapons and everything you need,vehicles,ammunition,radio,8217; then nothing happened,8221; Kako was quoted as saying by the Times.

8220;When I asked why,they said,8217;You should go to your government and your government will support you'8221;.

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Twelve out of the 17 men from the anti-Taliban group who were attending the wedding were killed.

Kako,however,expressed confidence about his operation.

8220;We will work harder against the Taliban in the future8230; Our morale is high,and our people8217;s morale is even higher,8221; he said.

Col Edward T Nye,a spokesman for Special Operations forces in Afghanistan,did not comment on the commander8217;s remarks,according to the newspaper.

8220;This is not going to dissuade us or drive us away,and I8217;m sure we8217;re going to continue to support the people of the area and side with them,8221; he said.

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The Karzai government has also not supported these groups because it might lead to the creation of power bases outside the capital.

8220;The local militia were quite effective and helpful and were supported by the civilian population; they were not letting Taliban come to their area,8221; said Haji Shah Aka,an elder from Nagahan,according to the report.

The attack against civilians,which also injured 87 people,has been severely condemned.

8220;I am shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of life and large number of those injured last night in Nagahan village,Arghandab in Kandahar,8221; Staffan de Mistura,the top UN official in Afghanistan said.