Suicide bomber kills 20 at funeral service
Source: Agencies |
December 26, 2011, Monday
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A SUICIDE bomber killed at least 20 people, including a member of parliament, and wounded 50 others in Afghanistan's northern city of Taloqan yesterday, the latest in a series of attacks in the region.
The attack occurred while prayers were being read at the funeral of a tribal leader. All the victims were civilians.
"People were gathering for a funeral when a suicide bomber detonated himself," Mahmod al-Hussain, a senior police detective for the northern Takhar province, said.
The once-peaceful northern Takhar province has seen a series of high-profile attacks and assassinations over the last year, including the killing of a top police commander in May.
Al-Hussain said a member of parliament, Mutalib Bik, was among the dead and is believed to have been the primary target as the attacker came close to him before setting off the bomb.
Bik was a former anti-Taliban commander and a former provincial police chief.
Takhar does not have any major permanent base for foreign troops. German troops supervise the area from a base in neighboring Kunduz province.
The attack may further complicate NATO efforts to prepare for the start of a security handover from foreign forces to Afghan soldiers and police in some parts of north Afghanistan.
"This reprehensible attack on a funeral further illustrates that the Taliban and other insurgents are waging a murderous campaign against innocent Afghan civilians, including women and children," the United States Embassy said.
Witnesses said the attacker was around 30 years old and dressed in traditional clothing for the region.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the attack.
"This attack once again shows the malicious and un-Islamic intentions of the terrorists, who don't even want Muslims in Afghanistan to hold religious ceremonies in a peaceful environment," he said.
Hundreds of men and women were outside the hospital in Taloqan, waiting to hear about family members as people were being brought in on stretchers.
"Everybody was running when I heard my brother yelling for help," said Hubaidullah, a witness.
Despite the presence of tens of thousands of Western forces in Afghanistan, violence is said to be at its worst since US-led forces toppled the Taliban in late 2001.
The attack occurred while prayers were being read at the funeral of a tribal leader. All the victims were civilians.
"People were gathering for a funeral when a suicide bomber detonated himself," Mahmod al-Hussain, a senior police detective for the northern Takhar province, said.
The once-peaceful northern Takhar province has seen a series of high-profile attacks and assassinations over the last year, including the killing of a top police commander in May.
Al-Hussain said a member of parliament, Mutalib Bik, was among the dead and is believed to have been the primary target as the attacker came close to him before setting off the bomb.
Bik was a former anti-Taliban commander and a former provincial police chief.
Takhar does not have any major permanent base for foreign troops. German troops supervise the area from a base in neighboring Kunduz province.
The attack may further complicate NATO efforts to prepare for the start of a security handover from foreign forces to Afghan soldiers and police in some parts of north Afghanistan.
"This reprehensible attack on a funeral further illustrates that the Taliban and other insurgents are waging a murderous campaign against innocent Afghan civilians, including women and children," the United States Embassy said.
Witnesses said the attacker was around 30 years old and dressed in traditional clothing for the region.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the attack.
"This attack once again shows the malicious and un-Islamic intentions of the terrorists, who don't even want Muslims in Afghanistan to hold religious ceremonies in a peaceful environment," he said.
Hundreds of men and women were outside the hospital in Taloqan, waiting to hear about family members as people were being brought in on stretchers.
"Everybody was running when I heard my brother yelling for help," said Hubaidullah, a witness.
Despite the presence of tens of thousands of Western forces in Afghanistan, violence is said to be at its worst since US-led forces toppled the Taliban in late 2001.
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