On February 29, 2012, in Takhar Province, a vehicle belonging to a bank in the city of Taloqan exploded.  At least 13 civilians were wounded.

The “Taliban” have not claimed responsibility, which is not normal as they usually claim responsibility right away, if they did it.  Officials with the city of Taloqan said a bomb was attached to the bank vehicle.

On February 28, Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered the release of 27 prisoners in Kandahar Province.  Those released include teenagers and women.  Karzai also shortened the sentences for 143 other prisoners in Kandahar.

One reporter said Afghans are being arbitrarily arrested, in U.S. NDAA 2012 style: “Hundreds of Afghans are serving in the central jail ….without having a specific charge against them and their cases are not properly followed.”-Javid Ahmad Tanveer

The climate is so bad in Kandahar’s prisons that several prisoners escaped by digging their way out, last year.