More than 20 killed in Afghanistan suicide bombing

MEHTAR LAM, AFGHANISTAN - Sep 02 2009 11:31

A suicide bomber struck in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least 23 people, including the deputy head of the country's intelligence agency, the provincial governor's spokesperson said.

Sayed Ahmad Safi, spokesperson for the governor of Laghman province, said the deputy head of the National Directorate of Security, Abdullah Laghmani, was among the dead, as were the heads of the provincial council and provincial executive body.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack was carried out by a suicide car bomber who was a member of the group.

The bomber struck near a mosque in the provincial capital, Mehtar Lam, in mountains about 100km east of Kabul.

A Reuters witness in the town saw a pick-up truck carrying wounded people covered in blood. Eight ambulances left the scene, headed towards Jalalabad, the nearest big city.

A police source said provincial governor Lutfullah Mashal had also been wounded, however the governor's spokesperson could not confirm that. -- Reuters

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