Senior official survives suicide attack

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): The deputy governor of northern Balkh province on Sunday escaped unhurt in a suicide attack, which caused several civilian casualties, an official said.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdur Rahman Rahimi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the suicide bombing took place at 11.15am in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital.

The bomber blew himself up near Deputy Governor Zahir Wahdat’s vehicle in Kart-e-Ariana area. Zahir survived the assault but his vehicle was damaged and one of his guards wounded.

At least one civilian was killed and three others were wounded in the explosion, according to the police chief, who said the incident was being investigated.

Giving an eyewitness account, resident Faizullah said the bomber on foot was standing in front of a school. “He ran toward the deputy governor’s jeep but one of his feet got stuck in a drain and his explosives went off.”

As a result of the attacker’s fumble, Wahdat escaped unhurt, the resident believed.

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