Posted July 14, 2012 16:55:43
A prominent politician is among at least 20 people killed by a suicide attacker at a wedding ceremony in northern Afghanistan.
The death toll makes the attack one of the most lethal in the country for months.
Influential politician Ahmad Khan Samangani, who hosted the party, was among those killed in the attack in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province.
The attacker reportedly hugged the politician before detonating the explosives around his waist.
"It was Ahmad Khan Samangani's daughter's wedding. A suicide bomber blew himself up, killing and wounding dozens," provincial governor Khairullah Anosh said.
The Taliban has denied responsibility for the attack.
Mr Samangani, a powerful political figure from Samangan province, was also a former mujahideen chief who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, and against the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule.
Afghans in some parts of northern Afghanistan, which is relatively peaceful compared with volatile southern and eastern parts of the country, hold ceremonies early in the morning.
Civilians bear the brunt of the violence in Afghanistan, which is at its worst since the Islamist Taliban government was toppled by US-led Afghan forces more than a decade ago.
Taliban insurgents fighting against president Hamid Karzai's Western-backed government have carried out dozens of suicide attacks this year.
Reuters/AFP
Topics: terrorism, unrest-conflict-and-war, afghanistan
A prominent politician is among at least 20 people killed by a suicide attacker at a wedding ceremony in northern Afghanistan.
The death toll makes the attack one of the most lethal in the country for months.
Influential politician Ahmad Khan Samangani, who hosted the party, was among those killed in the attack in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province.
The attacker reportedly hugged the politician before detonating the explosives around his waist.
"It was Ahmad Khan Samangani's daughter's wedding. A suicide bomber blew himself up, killing and wounding dozens," provincial governor Khairullah Anosh said.
The Taliban has denied responsibility for the attack.
Mr Samangani, a powerful political figure from Samangan province, was also a former mujahideen chief who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, and against the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule.
Afghans in some parts of northern Afghanistan, which is relatively peaceful compared with volatile southern and eastern parts of the country, hold ceremonies early in the morning.
Civilians bear the brunt of the violence in Afghanistan, which is at its worst since the Islamist Taliban government was toppled by US-led Afghan forces more than a decade ago.
Taliban insurgents fighting against president Hamid Karzai's Western-backed government have carried out dozens of suicide attacks this year.
Reuters/AFP
Topics: terrorism, unrest-conflict-and-war, afghanistan