Eight British tourists attacked in Taliban ‘rocket’ ambush on bus convoy in Afghanistan that left six injured
The Brits, along with three Americans and one German, were being escorted by an army convoy in the west province of Herat
EIGHT British tourists have reportedly been attacked by a rocket-propelled grenades, launched by Taliban fighters, while travelling on a convoy in Afghanistan.
At least seven people have been injured following the ambush in the western Herat province although the nationalities of those wounded are not known.
The tourists, who were being escorted by an army convoy, include eight Brits, three Americans and one German national.
The convoy was assaulted by Taliban gunmen in the restive district of Chesht-e-Sharif, while en route from the neighbouring provinces of Bamiyan and Ghor.
It is unclear why they were travelling overland at a time when Western embassies typically warn their citizens against all travel in Afghanistan, citing threats of kidnapping and attacks.
Do tourists still visit Afghanistan?
Afghanistan was popular with hippies in the late 1960s who enjoyed its rolling hillsides and breathtaking scenery.
However tourism plummeted in 1979 following the Soviet invasion signalling an era of tumultuous violence which is still ongoing.
And while the U.S invasion in 2001 did not help the country’s beleaguered holiday industry, certain regions still attract foreign visitors.
Indeed, the Bamyan is the only province which has its own tourist board which is mainly based around the ‘outback skiing’ which Afghans claim is ‘some of the best in the world’.
The central province hosts a 7m downhill race, the Afghan Ski Challenge, which was founded by a Swiss journalist and skier Christoph Zurcher.
Capital city Kabul has several attractions including ancient park, the Gardens of Babur, which was developed around 1528AD.
The city’s zoo is also hugely popular with locals and visitors and had around 280 animals back in 2010 including two lions and the country’s only pig.
Jilani Farhad, the spokesman for Herat's governor, said: "The foreign tourists -- three Americans, six Britons, two Scots and one German -- were travelling with an Afghan army convoy when they were ambushed in Chesht-e-Sharif."
He said the insurgents had been repelled and the foreigners were being escorted to Herat city, adding that at least six foreigners and their Afghan driver were left wounded.
Earlier reports suggested that up to ten people had been killed in the attack.
This latest attacks comes amid rising terror assaults by Taliban militants in the Arab country following the holy month of Ramadan.
Despite its ongoing troubles, the war torn country does attract a small amount of tourists interested in its famous hills and historical sites.
The Bamiyan province in particular is home to Afghanistan’s first national park, Band-e Amir, and is renowned for its beautiful lakes and scenery.
More to follow.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368