As the Spring Fighting season gets underway in Afghanistan, a suicide bomber blew up himself and at least 10 other people today in Afghanistan.

Three of the victims in the suicide attack were NATO troops. Of those three, two were American soldiers. The attacker was riding a motorcycle, he ignited his explosives as he passed the gate to a park in Maimanah, the capital of faryab Province.

Images from the scene showed dead bodies strewn around the gate. The image showed Afghan civilians, police officers and NATO troops dead in the carnage. Faryab province has been a relatively cam area of Afghanistan in the past, but is considered the stronghold of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, which is affiliated with Al-Queda in Northern Afghanistan. The group was formed in 1991, its original aim was the setting up of an Islamic state in Uzbekistan. It has since expanded its goal to seek an Islamic state throughout central Asia.

Afghan and Coalition forces killed the principle leader of the group on March 26th of this year.

More attacks from militant groups are expected in the coming days and weeks as activity begins to swell with the coming of the warmer seasons. Activity tends to taper off in the colder months with the snow cover increasing in the mountain passes used by the groups.

So far this year, 97 NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan, this number includes at least 54 American soldiers.