SHARAN (PAN): Nearly a dozen people were injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the transport department in this capital city of southeastern Paktika province, the Ministry of Interior said.
The bomber tried to enter Sharan, the provincial capital, but detonated his explosives before reaching his intended target, leaving five policemen and six civilians injured, with two of them said to be critical, the ministry said in a statement.
The blast took place in front of the transport directorate in the limits of first police district around 3:45pm in the afternoon.
Paktika police spokesman Naqibullah Rekhtinai told Pajhwok Afghan News police had prior information that a bomber would try to enter the city.
He said police had taken extraordinary measures to thwart the attack that involved a 12-year-old boy, who detonated his explosives before police could open fire at him after being recognized.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the blast, with the group spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying the attack was carried out by their comrade Mohammad Yaqub, a resident of Khushamand district.
He said the blast left eight police dead and seven others wounded.
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