Insider kills Logar ALP chief in suicide attack

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): The suicide attack that killed the Afghan Local Police chief for central Logar province inside the police headquarters on Monday was carried out by a rogue ALP member, officials said.

ALP Logar chief Sabz Ali was among seven policemen and three civilians killed in the attack that left five ALP members injured in Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital, at around 10am.

Logar police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai told Pajhwok Afghan News that the attacker had entered the police HQ in ALP uniform and had been waiting for Sabz Ali to arrive.

When Sabz Ali and other ALP officials arrived at the police building, the attacker detonated his explosives, killing Ali and several others.

“Investigation shows the attacker was a recruited ALP member who joined the force six months ago. He had met several times with Sabz Ali in the past,” Ishaqzai said.

He said another two ALP commander identified as Zabihullah and Ghayas were among the dead. A serious investigation into the attack had been launched, he added.

Ishaqzai’s deputy Col. Abdul Wali Tofan Tarakai said besides the casualties, the blast had also destroyed two police pick up vehicles and shattered window glasses of the police building.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack on the Logar police headquarters was part of their operation codenamed “Khyber.”

He said 12 policemen, including Sabz Ali, were killed and several others were wounded in the suicide attack.

A day earlier, a suicide bomber struck inside the police headquarters in Kabul, killing the police chief’s office manager Col. Yasin Khan. The blast left six policemen and a child injured.

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