KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The number of improvised bombs used in Afghanistan last year increased 9 percent with civilians increasingly likely targets, the military says.
The International Security Assistance Force, the NATO operation in Afghanistan, said 16,554 improvised explosive devices detonated or were cleared in 2011, up from 15,225 in 2010 and 9,304 in 2009, USA Today reported. The number of Afghans who were wounded or killed by IED explosions was up 10 percent.
The number of IED "events" in 2011 was a new record.
The high number of civilian casualties suggests that Mullah Omar and other top Taliban leaders have less control over a group that is becoming decentralized, an ISAF spokesman said.
"Despite orders from Mullah Omar to quit harming civilians, we saw increased use of IEDs harming Afghan adults and children," Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings said.
One big problem in Afghanistan is insurgents' ability to get bomb-making material from Pakistan.
