More brutal attacks involving suicide bombings and shootings against security forces took place today in southern Afghanistan. The events left 13 people dead and 24 others wounded.

In the Kandahar province, a suicide bomber managed to kill three civilians and hurt another 14 people while attempting to blow himself up near a vehicle with intelligence agents. As the militant was approaching the car, the guards noticed him and opened fire but were unable to stop the detonation.

The attack came just hours after another suicide attack in the Helmand province killed two policemen.

Another event took place in the eastern Kunar province, where Taliban militants attacked a police post. Five officers were killed and seven others were wounded, according to the Associated Press.

Three other officers were killed while riding their vehicle. The border police patrol hit a mine while traveling in the northwestern Badghis province.

Today’s events are just a glimpse at things to come, as the Taliban troops announced to launch this year a massive wave of suicide attacks across the country in order to overthrow the government and drive out all foreign troops.

During last year’s altercations, there have been at least 140 suicide attacks, with more than 200 civilian victims. Also, more than 900 police officers were killed in insurgency-related violence.

Even though the U.S. has spent more than $4 billion over the last three years to train and equip the police, they are still seen as weakest link among all troops and therefore are regularly targeted by militant’s attacks.