7 civilians killed in Kandahar bombing

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Seven civilians were killed and eight others injured in a car bombing in the southern province of Kandahar on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place near the entrance to the Kandahar airport at around 1pm, when the car bomb exploded near an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) convoy.

Zalmay Ayubi, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News a blue Corolla car was used in the attack that killed and wounded by-passers, including several children and a woman. Foreign forces escaped unhurt in the explosion.

“He was on duty when the bomb exploded,” said Wali Jan, a policeman guarding the airport gate. He saw wounded civilians and an ISAF soldier lying on the road. Two vehicles including one of NATO-led forces were also destroyed, he added.

Confirming the incident, ISAF said: “The attack resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of civilians. Currently, there are no confirmed reports of injuries to International Security Assistance Forces or Afghan National Security Forces.”

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault, targeting a vehicle of foreign military advisors. The group’s spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said 16 NATO-led soldiers were killed in the bombing, carried out by a militant named Ahmad.

myn/mas/mud

Visits: 3