12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KABUL, July 11: At least five people were killed and 10 others injured on Sunday when a bomb ripped through an old district of the western city of Herat, a local official said.

The explosion occurred at 9:30 am (0500 GMT) in Charsu area of the provincial capital, police chief Ziauddin Muhmoodi said. The bomb was placed in a rubbish bin and "exploded, martyring five and injuring ten," Muhmoodi said.

"Two children are among the five martyred," he added. Muhmoodi said an investigation into the incident which he said was carried out by the "enemies of this country" had been launched.

Afghanistan has been hit by a wave of violence, particularly in the lead-up towards the war-scarred country's first post-Taliban elections scheduled for October. -APP