Suicide blast kills 80 Afghanis at a dog-fighting competition, including Qandahar governor Assadullah Khaled

Suicide blast kills 80 at dog-fighting competition in Afghanistan

www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-17 14:39:58

By Abdul Haleem, Zhang Yunlong

KABUL, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) --

A bloody suicide bombing shocked Taliban former stronghold Kandahar in south Afghanistan Sunday morning killing at least 80 people and injuring many more, Qandahar's governor Assadullah Khaled said.

The huge explosion took place at a ground where hundreds of people were gathering to watch dog fighting, among the few pastimes for common Afghans.

"Eighty innocent people have been confirmed dead in the heinous crime committed by enemies today," Khalid told news reporters.

He said it is too early to count the number of the injured people as they have already been rushed to hospitals.

The official said the Taliban, fighting against Afghan government and foreign troops since it was overthrew six years ago, was behind the deadly attack. However, the Taliban militants did not say they were responsible for the bomb explosion.

Taliban militants during their six-year of reign on 1996-2001 in major parts of Afghanistan banned all kind of popular entertainment activities, including dog fighting, cook fighting, kite flying and wrestling.

Besides, the militants also outlawed cinemas, televisions, music, girl schools and confining women to their homes during the outfit's rule which was toppled by U.S.-led military invasion in 2001.

Taliban fighters carried out a failed attack against Assadullah Khaled, governor of the restive Kandahar province a week ago while he was on the way to Shah Walikot district.

A similar deadly attack in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province last November killed 73 civilians, including six parliamentarians, and injured more than 100 others.

Afghan government blamed Taliban insurgents for the deadly attack in Baghlan but the Taliban militants denied they were involved in the attack.

"Attack on Afghans and killing the people is the work of the enemies of Afghanistan and our enemies the Taliban insurgents are behind today's attack here in Kandahar," Khalid noted.

Anti-government Taliban fighters and their associated allies usually launched guerrilla-style attacks including ambushes, suicide blasts and roadside bombings on government and military targets, but often claimed civilian lives.

Taliban's fugitive chief Mullah Mohammad Omar in a statement released last week vowed to accelerate militant activities.

Escalating violence killed a record over 6,000 people in the post-Taliban nation last year and observers and military experts have predicted an upsurge of suicide blasts and roadside bombings in 2008.

Afghan Interior Ministry: 80 killed, 50 injured in Afghan blast

www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-17 21:14:30

KABUL, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) --

The suicide blast, the deadliest since Taliban regime collapse in 2001, at a dog-fighting competition killed 80 people and injured 50 others in southern Afghan province of Kandahar Sunday morning, Afghan interior ministry said.

"In the coward terrorist attack which rocked Kandahar at 10:10 a.m. (GMT 0540), 80 innocent civilians were killed and 50 others got wounded," the ministry said in a statement released here hours after the bloody incident.

It added the identity of the suicide bomber has yet to be determined.

There has been no responsibility claim yet.

Asadullah Khalid, governor of Qandahar province, earlier said the Taliban, fighting Afghan government and foreign troops since it was removed power six years ago, was behind the blast.

Pro-government militia commander Abdul Hakim Jan who had fought Taliban insurgents in south Afghanistan is among those killed, Khalid said.

The Taliban, during its six-year reign in 1996-2001, banned dog fighting, among other entertainment activities.

A similar bombing attack in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province last November killed 73 civilians, including six parliamentarians, and injured more than 100 others.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

Anti-Taliban commander killed in Afghanistan blast

www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-17 19:53:06

KABUL, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) --

Pro-government militia commander Abdul Halim Jan, who is fighting Taliban insurgents in south Afghanistan, is among those killed in the suicide blast in Taliban birthplace Kandahar on Sunday, Qandahar governor Assadullah Khaled said.

"Abdul Hakim Jan also died in the suicide bombing carried out by Taliban," Khalid, told media.

The deadliest bomb attack since the collapse of Taliban regime six years ago has killed at least 80 people and injured dozens of others so far, he said.

The attack occurred when hundreds of people had gathered to watch dog fighting at a ground in Kandahar city.

Hakim Jan, who was leading a 400-strong pro-government militia in the restive southern province, was owner of one of the two dog-fighting competitions at the ground, according to local residents.

Local residents said Hakim Jan was the target of the attack, but the Taliban insurgents have not made any comment on the killing the commander.

Taliban insurgents during their six-year reign in 1996-2001 banned dog fighting along with other entertainment activities.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

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