Mortar attack kills 3 in Afghanistan on I-Day

Kabul, Aug 18 (IANS) At least three Afghans were killed and 49 injured on Thursday in a mortar attack in the country's eastern province bordering Pakistan during the country's Independence Day celebrations, officials said.

The mortar shells which struck a government building where a celebration was underway in Kunar province were fired by Taliban militants, Xinhua news agency quoted a provincial head as saying.

"Two children and a man were killed and 49 others wounded by the mortar shelling in Asadabad this morning," provincial Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai said.

War-torn Afghanistan on August 18 marked the 97th anniversary of its independence from British occupation by holding meetings and celebrations across the country.