Afghanistan: A Suicide Bombing and Exaggerated Claims

A suicide bomber maneuvered a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) alongside a convoy of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops May 17 in Afghanistan, killing 18 people and injuring 47 others. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the VBIED contained 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds) of explosives. This is likely an exaggeration, since the attack did not cause as much damage as would be expected from such a large device.