Would-be suicide bombers among 7 killed

KABUL): Two would-be suicide bombers were among seven people killed in separate incidents and operations in different parts of the country, officials said on Tuesday.

The bombers were killed as a result of a raid on a house in Zaranj, the capital of southwestern Nimroz province, said the police chief, Col. Mohammad Musa Rasuli.

“According to an intelligence report, the two planned a suicide attack on Independence Day functions on August 18,” he told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Two suicide vests, 50 remote-controlled devices, 100 fuses of mines, four magnetic bombs, seven hand grenades, five pistols and a car were seized from the house.

In the eastern Nuristan province, militants killed a revenue department manger, who was kidnapped on Monday night in Manogi district of neighbouring Kunar.

Ashaqullah and three of his subordinates were kidnapped in the Manogi district while going to their homes in Laghman for Eid, said the administrative head of the town, Amir Baz Khan.

The captors killed Ashaqullah and released his associates. His body was sent to his family in Laghman. The victim’s relatives confirmed the abduction No one has so far claimed responsibility for the murder.

At least three civilians were killed and six others wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a mosque on the outskirts of Pul-i-Alam, the capital of central Logar province.

Deputy police chief Col. Rais Khan Sadiq said police had launched an investigation into the overnight shooting in Daudkhel area.

But witness Abdul Rahman said two gunmen killed four people and injured three others from the same family inside the mosque. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the shooting.

In the Greshk district of southern Helmand province, two motorcyclists shot dead an officer of water and energy department. The victim was performing evening prayers in a mosque.

Some suspects detained in connection with the murder were being interrogated, police spokesman Farid Ahmad Farhang said. Water and Energy Director Ahlullah Obaidi confirmed the death of Juma Gul.

Meanwhile, three policemen were injured as a result of a blast in the Karta-i-Lagan area of Lashkargah, the Helmand capital, Farhang said.

Three bombs were defused on the Mazar-Shiberghan highway in the northern province of Balkh. Acting police chief, Gen. Abdul Raziq Qadiri, said they had stepped up security in the city for the upcoming Eid festival.

Separately, counternarcotics police seized 517 kilograms of hashish in the Syed Ahmadkhel area of Kot district in eastern Nangarhar province, Director Col. Khan Zada Momand said. The traffickers managed to flee the scene, leaving behind their pick-up vehicle (NRG 5141) and the drugs.

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