PUL-I-ALAM (Afghanistan), Oct 15: A bomb hidden in a microphone killed an Afghan provincial governor on Tuesday as he made a speech at a mosque after Eid prayers in Logar, close to the capital Kabul.

Arsala Jamal was appointed by President Hamid Karzai, like all 34 provincial governors, and he was seen as a close ally of the president, acting as one of his campaign managers in the 2009 election.

“This morning, Governor Jamal was delivering a speech after Eid prayers when he was killed by a bomb planted in the microphone,” Logar provincial governor spokesman Din Mohammad Darwish said.

“The governor wanted to speak and congratulate everyone on the occasion of Eid. At least 18 other people have been wounded, including civilians and government employees.” Jamal only took up the Logar job in April after serving as governor of Khost, on the border with Pakistan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, though Taliban militants often target provincial government officials as well as Afghan soldiers and police.

Karzai condemned Jamal’s killing, saying the attack inside the mosque showed the Taliban had no respect for Islam.

Earlier in his presidential Eid address on Tuesday, he again appealed for peace.

“Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban to work for the development of their country, and to spare Afghan security forces who are working to protect their soil, national dignity, and to stop carrying out attacks,” his office said.

“(The president) once again called on the Taliban and their leaders not to throw the youth of this country into destruction.”

Mohammad Jan Abid, head of the criminal investigative department in Logar, confirmed the mosque bombing and said a probe would be launched. Volatile Logar, which lies to the south of the Afghan capital, is seen as a key strategic region, often described as a “gateway to Kabul” for Taliban militants based in strongholds across the south and east.

Security in the province has deteriorated in recent years, with the Taliban holding sway in some areas despite sustained Afghan and US military pressure.

Village-based Afghan Local Police (ALP) forces have also been active trying to wrestle back control of Taliban-held territory.

The Taliban have vowed to step up attacks as Afghanistan prepares for presidential elections in April and the withdrawal of 87,000 Nato troops by the end of next year.

Taliban leader Mullah Omar on Sunday said he “rejected” the elections, which he alleged were being manipulated by foreign powers, and called on Afghans not to participate.—AFP