IEDs more common in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 9 (UPI) -- There were 736 attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan using roadside bombs in June, a monthly record, the U.S. military says.

The Pentagon reported Taliban use of improvised explosive devices has escalated, USA Today said Thursday. There were 234 IED attacks in June 2007, 308 in June 2008 and the numbers rose to 361 in March, 407 in April and 465 in May.

"Tactically, IEDs remain the No. 1 threat to our troops," Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces, told the newspaper in an e-mail.

The number of soldiers killed and injured by IEDs is also up. In June, there were 82 effective attacks, leaving 23 dead and 166 wounded, up from 24 effective attacks in June 2007.

The Pentagon has announced plans to purchase 5,200 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles at a cost of $1 million each.