A minibus carrying workers to an American base blew up in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Thursday, killing 10 people and wounding 15 others in an incident thought to be caused by the detonation of explosives planted on the vehicle. The blast happened during two key developments in Afghanistan-- an upsurge in attacks throughout Afghanistan by Taliban fighters, and the recent start of a major combat operation aimed at a resurgent rebel force, CNN reported. Called Operation Mountain Thrust, more than 10,000 U.S., Afghan and coalition forces have fanned out across Kandahar and neighboring Oruzgan, Helmand, and Zabul provinces to conduct sweep operations against safe havens. Working with Afghan forces they expect to spend several days rooting out Taliban safe havens. The coalition forces include Canadian and British troops.
