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'Deadliest' attack in Afghanistan 'Deadliest' attack in Afghanistan
(about 2 hours later)
At least 80 people have been killed in a suicide bombing in the Afghan city of Kandahar - in what appears to be the deadliest attack since 2001. At least 80 people have been killed in a suicide bombing outside the Afghan city of Kandahar - in what appears to be the deadliest attack since 2001.
The blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting competition. The massive blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting contest.
"Sixty of the martyrs were brought to hospitals and 20 more dead bodies were taken from the site," Governor Assadullah Khalid told reporters. "This suicide attack was the work of the Taleban," said Governor Assadullah Khalid, adding the death toll may rise.
"This suicide attack was the work of the Taleban," Mr Khalid said. The Taleban have not admitted the blast. Southern Afghanistan is a Taleban stronghold and last week the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life.
But it bears all their hallmarks, says the BBC's Jon Brain in the Afghan capital. The Taleban have not claimed responsibility for the blast, but it bears all their hallmarks, says the BBC's Jon Brain in the Afghan capital.
They have a significant presence in the area from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts. Among those killed was Abdul Hakim, a local police chief fiercely opposed to the Taleban who is thought to have been the target of the attack.
Last week, the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life.
Last year, violence in Afghanistan reached its highest levels since the Taleban were forced from power in 2001, analysts say.
Body partsBody parts
Dog-fighting competitions are a popular pastime in Afghanistan. They were banned by the Taleban regime. Excitement was mounting among the 500-strong, male-only crowd when the huge blast struck.
I counted over 40 people on the ground dead Abdul Karim,dog fight spectator
Dog-fighting competitions, which were banned under the Taleban regime, are a popular pastime in Afghanistan.
"Fighting had just started between two dogs," said one spectator, Abdul Karim.
"Suddenly I heard a huge explosion next to a police vehicle. Then I saw lots of people dead and wounded.
"I counted over 40 people on the ground dead," Mr Karim, 53, told the AFP news agency.
Twisted car and bicycle parts littered the ground as shawls and shoes lay scattered among the bodies of the dead and wounded.
Injured spectators staggered through the carnage searching for relatives.
Scores of wounded were packed into civilian cars and rushed to hospitals in the city centre, some 15km (nine miles) away.
Taleban influence
Aside from Abdul Hakim, several other policemen were reported to be among the victims of Sunday's blast.
MAJOR TALEBAN ATTACKS 29 Dec 2007: 16 policemen killed in Kandahar6 Nov 2007: At least 70 die in attack on sugar factory in Baghlan province29 Sep 2007: At least 30 soldiers killed in bus attack in Kabul 16 Jan 2006: At least 24 people killed in two attacks in Kandahar Deadliest Afghan attacksIn pictures: Afghan blastMAJOR TALEBAN ATTACKS 29 Dec 2007: 16 policemen killed in Kandahar6 Nov 2007: At least 70 die in attack on sugar factory in Baghlan province29 Sep 2007: At least 30 soldiers killed in bus attack in Kabul 16 Jan 2006: At least 24 people killed in two attacks in Kandahar Deadliest Afghan attacksIn pictures: Afghan blast
At least 300 people were attending the event on the outskirts of Kandahar, including militia leaders said to have been the target of Sunday's attack.
Our correspondent says one prominent militia leader, who had opposed the Taleban in the past, was among the dead.
One witness, Abdul Karim, told the AFP news agency: "Fighting had just started between two dogs. Suddenly I heard a huge explosion next to a police vehicle. Then I saw lots of people dead and wounded."
Body parts were scattered in the area as paramedics rushed the wounded to hospitals.
The Taleban claim to have influence across most of the country and have extended their area of control from their traditional heartland in the south.The Taleban claim to have influence across most of the country and have extended their area of control from their traditional heartland in the south.
They are able to operate freely even in Wardak province, neighbouring the capital Kabul, as a BBC camera crew who filmed them recently found. They have a significant presence around Kandahar from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts.
The militants are even able to operate freely in Wardak province, neighbouring the capital Kabul.
Last year, violence in Afghanistan reached its highest levels since the Taleban were forced from power in 2001, analysts say.
Were you or anyone you know at the scene of the blast? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.Were you or anyone you know at the scene of the blast? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
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