Students, US soldiers dead in Paktia blast

GARDEZ (PAN): Ten schoolchildren, two US soldiers and a policeman were killed in a suicide bombing in the Chamkani district of southeastern Paktia province on Monday, an official said.

The attacker detonated his explosives-rigged motorcycle in front of a high school in the district bazaar at around 12pm, the provincial police chief said. A convoy of US soldiers and members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) was in the area at the time of the attack.

Brig. Gen. Zalmai Oryakhel said 10 students were killed and 15 others wounded in the suicide attack. One Afghan Local Police (ALP) members was also killed and another injured.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF-led soldiersa and six Afghan civilians had been killed. In line with its policy, it did not give the victims’ nationalities.

Another Afghan security official also confirmed two American soldiers were also killed in the bombing. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the assault.

myn/mud

Visits: 3