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| 'Deadliest' attack in Afghanistan | 'Deadliest' attack in Afghanistan |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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 massive blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting contest. | The massive blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting contest. |
| "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," said Governor Assadullah Khalid, adding the death toll may rise. |
| Southern Afghanistan is a Taleban stronghold and last week the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life. | Southern Afghanistan is a Taleban stronghold and last week the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Body parts | Body parts |
| Excitement was mounting among the 500-strong, male-only crowd when the huge blast struck. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | Scores of wounded were packed into civilian cars and rushed to hospitals in the city centre, some 15km (nine miles) away. |
| Taleban influence | Taleban influence |
| Aside from Abdul Hakim, several other policemen were reported to be among the victims of Sunday's blast. | 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 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 blast |
| 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 have a significant presence around Kandahar from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts. | 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. | 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. | 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. |