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Blast kills top Afghan official | Blast kills top Afghan official |
(20 minutes later) | |
The deputy governor of Afghanistan's Helmand province has been killed in a bomb attack on a mosque, officials say. | The deputy governor of Afghanistan's Helmand province has been killed in a bomb attack on a mosque, officials say. |
Deputy governor Haji Pir Mohammed was one of seven people - including the bomber - killed in the explosion at the start of afternoon prayers. | Deputy governor Haji Pir Mohammed was one of seven people - including the bomber - killed in the explosion at the start of afternoon prayers. |
Eighteen people were also hurt in the suicide bombing in Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, police said. | Eighteen people were also hurt in the suicide bombing in Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, police said. |
The Taleban say they carried out the attack. Helmand is a major stronghold of the Taleban. | The Taleban say they carried out the attack. Helmand is a major stronghold of the Taleban. |
Most of the 6,000 British troops serving as part of a Nato force in Afghanistan are also based in the southern province and Canada has 2,500 troops there. | Most of the 6,000 British troops serving as part of a Nato force in Afghanistan are also based in the southern province and Canada has 2,500 troops there. |
Helmand is a centre for opium production and international efforts to curb the trade have had limited effect. | Helmand is a centre for opium production and international efforts to curb the trade have had limited effect. |
Mr Pir Mohammed was killed at the start of afternoon prayers | |
The attack comes as three Western reports warn that Nato is not winning in Afghanistan and the country faces a humanitarian catastrophe. | The attack comes as three Western reports warn that Nato is not winning in Afghanistan and the country faces a humanitarian catastrophe. |
Attacks by the Taleban during the past year have been the highest recorded since the regime was ousted by US-led forces in 2001. | Attacks by the Taleban during the past year have been the highest recorded since the regime was ousted by US-led forces in 2001. |
According to Helmand's police chief, Mohammed Hussain Andiwal, Thursday's attack took place at the start of afternoon prayers in the mosque. | According to Helmand's police chief, Mohammed Hussain Andiwal, Thursday's attack took place at the start of afternoon prayers in the mosque. |
Child beggar | Child beggar |
He said Mr Pir Mohammed had just earlier been in a meeting with Helmand's governor. | |
Those hurt included a four-year-old child who had been begging at the mosque's entrance, Mr Andiwal said. | Those hurt included a four-year-old child who had been begging at the mosque's entrance, Mr Andiwal said. |
According to a local health official interviewed by AFP news, six bodies had been brought to a local hospital, "including the deputy provincial governor". | According to a local health official interviewed by AFP news, six bodies had been brought to a local hospital, "including the deputy provincial governor". |
The mosque where the attack took place is said to be close to several provincial government offices. | The mosque where the attack took place is said to be close to several provincial government offices. |
Meanwhile in Kabul, a suicide bomber driving a car killed one civilian and injured four others, including an army officer. | Meanwhile in Kabul, a suicide bomber driving a car killed one civilian and injured four others, including an army officer. |
The interior ministry said the attacker targeted an army bus close to the city centre. The device is thought to have gone off early. | The interior ministry said the attacker targeted an army bus close to the city centre. The device is thought to have gone off early. |