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'Deadliest' attack in Afghanistan | |
(10 minutes 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. | |
The blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting competition. | |
"Sixty of the martyrs were brought to hospitals and 20 more dead bodies were taken from the site," Governor Assadullah Khalid told reporters. | "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," Mr Khalid said. The Taleban have not admitted the blast. | "This suicide attack was the work of the Taleban," Mr Khalid said. The Taleban have not admitted the blast. |
But it bears all their hallmarks, says the BBC's Jon Brain in the Afghan capital. | 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. | They have a significant presence in the area from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts. |
Last week, the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life. | 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. | Last year, violence in Afghanistan reached its highest levels since the Taleban were forced from power in 2001, analysts say. |
Body parts | Body parts |
Dog-fighting competitions are a favourable pastime in Afghanistan. They were banned by the Taleban regime. | |
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. | |
Major attacks on Afghanistan | |
"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," Abdul Karim told the AFP news agency. | |
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 are able to operate freely even in Wardak Province, neighbouring the capital Kabul, as a BBC camera crew who filmed them recently found. |
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. |