CHARIKAR (PAN): A would-be suicide attacker, seeking to detonate his explosives near Interior Minister Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi, was arrested in central Parwan province on Sunday, an official said.

The minister was on his way to central Panjsher province when the man attempted to attack him in Syedkhel district in the afternoon, Parwan Governor Abdul Basir Salangi told reporters.

As soon as the attacker came out from beneath a bridge, ministerial guards asked him to stop, the governor said. As he continued walking to toward Mohammadi, the guards shot him injured.

Soon after being arrested by police, the attacker succumbed to his injuries, Salangi said, adding the would-be bomber could not be recognised immediately. An investigation into the incident is under way.

frm/mud