2 would-be bombers killed, 2 captured in Kunar: Wahidi

ASADBAD (PAN): Two would-be suicide bombers were killed and two of their accomplices captured by police in eastern Kunar province, the governor said on Saturday.

Last week, police received intelligence reports that five suicide bombers had entered the province, bordering Pakistan‘s tribal region of Bajaur, Syed Fazlullah Wahidi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

As a result, stringent security measures were put in place to arrest or kill the attackers before they could reach their targets, the governor said.

The bombers were travelling in a car that was intercepted at a checkpoint in the Khas Kunar district. The four were wearing shawls, the governor said.

One of them detonated his explosives after police shot him in the leg, Wahidi said, adding another bomber was shot dead and the two were captured alive. The detainees have been brought to Asadabad for investigation, he said.

Witness Ismail said police signalled the car, but it did not stop. Police then opened fire at the vehicle, killing two occupants and arresting two others, he said.

Kunar police chief, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Naziri said the dead militants were Pakistanis. The arrested militants are Afghan citizens from Chapa Dara district.

Nazari said two pistols and two hand grenades were recovered from the insurgents. The detainees wanted to send the bombers to Asadabad for attacks on government buildings, he said.

The policeman who fired at the bombers was slightly injured in the arm due to the blast.

There was no word from the Taliban about the incident.

ma/mud

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