Would-be suicide bombers among 14 detained

KABUL): More than a dozen militants, including would-be suicide attackers, have been detained with explosives in different parts of the country, the spy service said on Sunday.

Six of the 14 detainees wanted to disrupt the celebration of the Nawroz (Afghan New Year) festival in northern Balkh province, said a spokesman for the National Directorate of Security (NDS)

Lotfullah Mashal told a news conference in Kabul the rebels plotted to assassinate Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor and other high-ranking officials.

He identified the detainees as Qari Gulab, Abdul Hai, Amanullah, Izzatullah, Qari Abdul Salam and Qari Rahimullah, who had rented a house close to the Governor’s House in Mazar-i-Sharif. 

Mashal said intelligent operatives had seized 53 sacks of explosives, 50 kilograms of ammonium nitrate — a fertiliser used in making roadside bombs — and other materials.

“The men have confessed to their involvement in the plots that were hatched outside Afghanistan,” Mashal said, adding the NDS had also seized 9,000 kg of explosives from a fruit-laden truck in eastern Nangarhar.

These explosives were to be used for disrupting Nawroz celebrations in Kabul, Laghman and Nangarhar, he said.

A would-be suicide attacker was arrested in Kunar province, he said, adding a man with seven suicide vests was detained in Logar.

The NDS spokesman said two would-be bombers and four fighters were captured in southern Kandahar province.

Two suicide vests and some weapons were recovered from the men, according to the spokesman.

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