|
| WORLD NEWS - WORLD NEWS - Afghanistan |
|
 17 Feb 80 killed by suicide bomber in Afghanistan
A suicide bomber has today killed at least 80 people in the Afghan city of Kandahar. Afghanistan authorities said the bomber targeted a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting competition.
Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai (pictured) recently requested more help from western coalition forces in the country to wrestle control of areas under the Talebans.
Kandahar Governor Assadullah Khalid, who survived an attempt on his life last week, laid the blame sqaurely on the Taleban.
"This suicide attack was the work of the Taleban," Khalid told the press. The Taleban have not admitted the blast.
The, Taleban, who have a significant presence in the area, have been held responsible for a series of suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts around Kabul, the capital.
Dog-fighting competitions, which were banned in Afghanistan under the Taleban, are a popular sport in the country.
Afghanistan officials said at least 300 people were attending the event on the outskirts of Kandahar, including militia leaders, when the suicide bomber struck.
|
|
|
|
|
)
