Puli Alam, Afghanistan – A Taliban suicide bomber killed at least sevensecurity guards Sunday after targeting the convoy of an Afghan governor,officials said, in the latest violence to rock the war-torn country.
The attacker rammed a vehicle full of explosives into the convoy of AnwarIshaqzai, the governor of central Logar province, who was travelling withhis provincial intelligence chief on the highway connecting the region tothe capital Kabul.
“Fortunately, both officials escaped unhurt. But the attack has lefteight people dead, all bodyguards of the governor,” provincial policespokesman Shahpoor Ahmadzai told AFP, adding that seven people were woundedby the blast.
Abdul Wali Wakil — a member of the Logar provincial council — confirmedthe incident but said seven people were killed.
The Taliban, who have been waging a 17-year war against the Western-backedAfghan government, claimed responsibility for the attack.
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The bombing comes days after the Taliban struck a fortified foreigncompound in Kabul with a truck bomb, killing at least four people –including a US and an Indian national — and wounding more than 100 others.
Fights between security forces and Taliban militants have continued tointensify across the country during the frigid Afghan winter, whichtraditionally experiences a lull in fighting.
The defence ministry announced Sunday that over 40 Taliban insurgents werekilled during airstrikes and ground operations in the last 24 hours. -APP/AFP
