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Karzai brother service hit by Kandahar suicide bomber Karzai brother service hit by Kandahar suicide bomber
(40 minutes later)
A suicide bomber has killed four people at a memorial service in Kandahar for the assassinated half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.A suicide bomber has killed four people at a memorial service in Kandahar for the assassinated half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The bomber had hidden explosives in his turban, which he detonated at the door of the Red Mosque, say officials. Officials say the bomber apparently hid explosives in his turban and detonated them near the entrance of the mosque.
President Karzai was not present at the memorial. Four of his other brothers were but escaped unharmed.President Karzai was not present at the memorial. Four of his other brothers were but escaped unharmed.
Ahmad Wali Karzai, a controversial but key figure in Nato's battle against the Taliban, was killed by his bodyguard.Ahmad Wali Karzai, a controversial but key figure in Nato's battle against the Taliban, was killed by his bodyguard.
President Karzai flew into Kandahar for his brother's funeral on Wednesday, but left the city before Thursday's service.President Karzai flew into Kandahar for his brother's funeral on Wednesday, but left the city before Thursday's service.
No group has so far admitted carrying out the mosque attack.No group has so far admitted carrying out the mosque attack.
Another explosion later hit the centre of Kandahar, killing one person and injuring several others, said the police chief of Kandahar.Another explosion later hit the centre of Kandahar, killing one person and injuring several others, said the police chief of Kandahar.
Chaos and panicChaos and panic
The explosion in the Red Mosque took place just after noon (0730 GMT) in the southern Afghan city, as the service for Ahmad Wali Karzai was coming to an end.The explosion in the Red Mosque took place just after noon (0730 GMT) in the southern Afghan city, as the service for Ahmad Wali Karzai was coming to an end.
I was in the mosque 30 minutes before the explosion took place.I was in the mosque 30 minutes before the explosion took place.
Senior government officials, tribal elders and people from across the country were present at the memorial service for Ahmad Wali Karzai, and security was extremely tight.Senior government officials, tribal elders and people from across the country were present at the memorial service for Ahmad Wali Karzai, and security was extremely tight.
When the bomb went off, I was in the next street talking to other tribal elders.When the bomb went off, I was in the next street talking to other tribal elders.
According to eyewitnesses inside the mosque, the suicide attacker was prevented by security guards from entering.According to eyewitnesses inside the mosque, the suicide attacker was prevented by security guards from entering.
The bomber blew himself up at one of gates of the mosque.The bomber blew himself up at one of gates of the mosque.
All the key roads have now been closed in the area.All the key roads have now been closed in the area.
Officials say the attacker was stopped at the mosque's entrance, where he blew himself up. Reports said he had hidden the explosives in his turban. Officials say the attacker was stopped at the mosque's entrance, where he blew himself up.
Witnesses, including President Karzai's spokesman Waheed Omer, said he had hidden the explosives in his turban. Provincial intelligence chief Gen Mohammad Naeem Momin told the Associated Press that early investigations supported the reports.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kandahar said that security was not as tight as it could have been around the mosque.The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kandahar said that security was not as tight as it could have been around the mosque.
Tradition dictates that mourners are not searched when attending memorials, says our correspondent, and several tribal elders told him they had not been searched.Tradition dictates that mourners are not searched when attending memorials, says our correspondent, and several tribal elders told him they had not been searched.
The interior ministry and medical sources said four people and the bomber had been killed.The interior ministry and medical sources said four people and the bomber had been killed.
The Afghan interior ministry said that among those killed was Hikmatullah Hikmat, the head of Kandahar's Ulema Council. The council is an influential body of clerics in charge of regulating religious issues in the province. Among those killed was Hikmatullah Hikmat, the head of Kandahar's Ulema Council, said the ministry. The council is an influential body of clerics in charge of regulating religious issues in the province.
The ministry said a child was also among the dead.The ministry said a child was also among the dead.
"There was a prayer going on and after that prayer, the man came close to the director of the religious council and exploded," Kandahar governor Toryalai Wesa told the Associated Press. "There was a prayer going on and after that prayer, the man came close to the director of the religious council and exploded," Kandahar governor Toryalai Wesa told AP.
He said it looked like the attacker had been targeting the director.He said it looked like the attacker had been targeting the director.
Officials say the casualty figures could have been much higher had the attacker been able to get inside the mosque itself or had been wearing explosives on his body, rather than in a turban. Officials say the casualty figures could have been much higher had the attacker been able to get inside the mosque itself or had been wearing explosives on his body, rather than on his head, says our correspondent.
Four of President Karzai's brothers, several other Karzai family members and Mr Wesa were in the mosque at the time. None were believed to have been hurt.Four of President Karzai's brothers, several other Karzai family members and Mr Wesa were in the mosque at the time. None were believed to have been hurt.
Elite police units have arrived in the area, our correspondent says, adding that there were scenes of chaos and panic in the streets.
Appeal to TalibanAppeal to Taliban
Ahmad Wali Karzai was shot twice by his family friend and long-time head of security, Sardar Mohammad, on Tuesday. The bodyguard was himself killed almost immediately.Ahmad Wali Karzai was shot twice by his family friend and long-time head of security, Sardar Mohammad, on Tuesday. The bodyguard was himself killed almost immediately.
The Taliban said that the attack was one of their top achievements in 10 years of war.The Taliban said that the attack was one of their top achievements in 10 years of war.
Ahmad Wali Karzai was seen by many as a key anti-Taliban figure, someone who stood up to them, using his private army and vast network to fight the insurgents, our correspondent says.Ahmad Wali Karzai was seen by many as a key anti-Taliban figure, someone who stood up to them, using his private army and vast network to fight the insurgents, our correspondent says.
But he adds that his critics accused him of undermining the central government in Kabul.But he adds that his critics accused him of undermining the central government in Kabul.
On Wednesday, President Karzai wept at the graveside, and kissed his dead half-brother's face as senior politicians looked on.On Wednesday, President Karzai wept at the graveside, and kissed his dead half-brother's face as senior politicians looked on.
The president then appealed to the militants to stop the bloodshed.The president then appealed to the militants to stop the bloodshed.
"My message for the Taliban is, my countryman, my brother, stop killing your own people," said Mr Karzai. "It's easy to kill and everyone can do it, but the real man is the one who can save people's lives.""My message for the Taliban is, my countryman, my brother, stop killing your own people," said Mr Karzai. "It's easy to kill and everyone can do it, but the real man is the one who can save people's lives."
Tuesday's killing was the latest and most high-profile in a series of assassinations of senior politicians and security commanders across the country.Tuesday's killing was the latest and most high-profile in a series of assassinations of senior politicians and security commanders across the country.
Are you in Kandahar? Did you witness the attack? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below.Are you in Kandahar? Did you witness the attack? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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