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Blast kills top Afghan official | Blast kills top Afghan official |
(30 minutes later) | |
Afghanistan's deputy chief of intelligence has been killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in Laghman province, the provincial governor says. | Afghanistan's deputy chief of intelligence has been killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in Laghman province, the provincial governor says. |
Abdullah Laghmani and at least 21 other people were killed in the attack in the town of Mehtar Lam. | Abdullah Laghmani and at least 21 other people were killed in the attack in the town of Mehtar Lam. |
A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told AP news agency a suicide bomber had targeted Mr Laghmani. | A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told AP news agency a suicide bomber had targeted Mr Laghmani. |
The attack came after the UN released a report saying opium cultivation had dropped significantly in Afghanistan. | The attack came after the UN released a report saying opium cultivation had dropped significantly in Afghanistan. |
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime said poppy cultivation had dropped by 22% in a year and opium production by 10%. | The UN Office on Drugs and Crime said poppy cultivation had dropped by 22% in a year and opium production by 10%. |
'Covered in blood' | 'Covered in blood' |
Reports say a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a crowd of officials - including Mr Laghmani - who had gathered outside the mosque in Mehtar Lam for a ceremony. | Reports say a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a crowd of officials - including Mr Laghmani - who had gathered outside the mosque in Mehtar Lam for a ceremony. |
The provincial governor, Lutfullah Mashal, said in a news conference that at least 22 people had been killed, and another 35 hurt. | The provincial governor, Lutfullah Mashal, said in a news conference that at least 22 people had been killed, and another 35 hurt. |
He said three senior officials in the local government had been killed, as well as Mr Laghmani - whose car was completely destroyed in the attack. | He said three senior officials in the local government had been killed, as well as Mr Laghmani - whose car was completely destroyed in the attack. |
A Taliban spokesman told the BBC it claimed responsibility for the attack. | A Taliban spokesman told the BBC it claimed responsibility for the attack. |
Reuters news agency quoted an eyewitness who saw a pick-up truck carrying wounded people covered in blood. | Reuters news agency quoted an eyewitness who saw a pick-up truck carrying wounded people covered in blood. |
Taliban success | Taliban success |
Eight ambulances left the scene, headed toward Jalalabad, the nearest big city, the witness said. | Eight ambulances left the scene, headed toward Jalalabad, the nearest big city, the witness said. |
This successful strike against a senior figure in the state apparatus is a serious blow against the government in its fight against the insurgency, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Kabul. | This successful strike against a senior figure in the state apparatus is a serious blow against the government in its fight against the insurgency, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Kabul. |
The attack underlines the Taliban's ability to carry out complex and targeted attacks. | The attack underlines the Taliban's ability to carry out complex and targeted attacks. |
It is the latest in a string of deadly attacks mainly in the south and east of Afghanistan, occurring in the weeks before and since the country's 20 August presidential and provincial elections. | It is the latest in a string of deadly attacks mainly in the south and east of Afghanistan, occurring in the weeks before and since the country's 20 August presidential and provincial elections. |
Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? | Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? |
Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |