Bombers hit base in eastern Afghanistan, kill guard

Published June 9, 2014
— AFP file photo
— AFP file photo

KABUL: Three suicide bombers attacked a parking lot at a police base in eastern Afghanistan, killing a guard and setting 25 trucks ablaze, an official told AP on Monday.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban has recently staged a series of high-profile bombings ahead of the June 14 runoff in the country's presidential election.

The attack on the police base in eastern Behsud district took place late Sunday, said Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar province.

A suicide car bomber first blew himself up by detonating his vehicle at the entrance to the parking lot. Two other attackers then stormed in, shooting at the security forces.

The police killed both attackers but at least 25 fuel tankers and logistic trucks caught on fire and were burned during the fighting, Abdulzai said.

Officials are concerned there could be more violence ahead of the balloting on Saturday, though the first round of the election on April 5 passed relatively peacefully.

Last Friday, Abdullah Abdullah¬-the frontrunner in the election -narrowly escaped assassination when two suicide boomers attacked his convoy during a campaign event in the capital.

At least 10 people, including three in Abdullah's entourage were killed and dozens were wounded in the attack which heavily damaged the front of Abdullah's armored car, destroyed several vehicles and storefronts and left the street littered with twisted metal and other rubble.

No one has claimed responsibility for that attack either.

Abdullah is facing off against former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

In the initial balloting, he garnered 45 per cent of the votes while Ahmadzai came in second with 31.6 percent.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...