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Afghanistan: Suicide blast kills top police commander Afghanistan: Suicide blast kills top police commander
(40 minutes later)
The police commander for northern Afghanistan has been killed in a suicide bomb attack on Takhar province governor's office, officials say. The police commander for northern Afghanistan has been killed in a suicide bomb attack on Takhar province governor's office.
Gen Mohammad Daud Daud is one of at least seven people killed in the suicide bomb attack, police say. Gen Mohammad Daud Daud is one of at least seven people killed in the attack, claimed by the Taliban.
Western and Afghan troops are among "a significant number of casualties", a Nato spokesman said.Western and Afghan troops are among "a significant number of casualties", a Nato spokesman said.
Gen Daud was former military commander of the Northern Alliance, the Afghan forces who fought the Taliban.Gen Daud was former military commander of the Northern Alliance, the Afghan forces who fought the Taliban.
Afghanistan has seen a series of attacks in recent months by militants on police and military targets.Afghanistan has seen a series of attacks in recent months by militants on police and military targets.
High-level meetingHigh-level meeting
The latest attack will be seen as significant because it has struck an area of the country's north which has been seen as relatively secure.The latest attack will be seen as significant because it has struck an area of the country's north which has been seen as relatively secure.
The BBC's Paul Wood in Kabul says the attack is a propaganda victory for the Taliban and a blow to wider, counter-insurgency efforts.The BBC's Paul Wood in Kabul says the attack is a propaganda victory for the Taliban and a blow to wider, counter-insurgency efforts.
Gen Daud was in charge of all interior ministry forces in northern Afghanistan and is the most senior figure to be killed so far in a Taliban "spring offensive".
Powerful, charismatic, controversial - General Daud played a critical role as Afghan forces prepare to take over from Isaf in key cities this year.Powerful, charismatic, controversial - General Daud played a critical role as Afghan forces prepare to take over from Isaf in key cities this year.
When I last saw him in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in March, he was calm and confident as he organised a major security operation during Nawroz (New Year) celebrations.When I last saw him in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in March, he was calm and confident as he organised a major security operation during Nawroz (New Year) celebrations.
Despite reports of suicide bombers in the city, there were no attacks. But he came under criticism weeks later when the UN compound was stormed by a violent mob.Despite reports of suicide bombers in the city, there were no attacks. But he came under criticism weeks later when the UN compound was stormed by a violent mob.
There were persistent allegations he played a key role in the drugs trade he was meant to stop. But his charm and capabilities won him allies among foreign forces - although some expressed suspicion there was an "agenda" of greater autonomy for the North.There were persistent allegations he played a key role in the drugs trade he was meant to stop. But his charm and capabilities won him allies among foreign forces - although some expressed suspicion there was an "agenda" of greater autonomy for the North.
Gen Daud was in charge of all interior ministry forces in northern Afghanistan and is the most senior figure to be killed so far in a Taliban "spring offensive". The attack will heighten concerns over the Taliban's campaign to assassinate key Afghan figures.
He was highly thought of by Nato, our correspondent adds. He was highly thought of by Nato because he got the job done, our correspondent adds.
The latest attack occurred at the compound of Takhar provincial governor Abdul Jabar Taqwa, in Taloqan, while officials were having a meeting, a police spokesman said. Gen Daud was a former deputy interior minister for narcotics.
Seven people were killed in the explosion, including three German troops, a spokesman for the governor's office told AFP news agency, but this has not been confirmed. He also served as the bodyguard to Ahmad Shah Massoud, who commanded the Northern Alliance.
German troops are based in neighbouring Kunduz province, and have oversight of Takhar. The attack occurred at the compound of Takhar provincial governor Abdul Jabar Taqwa, in Taloqan, where officials were having a meeting.
Shah Jahan Nuri, the provincial police chief, was among the victims, and the governor was injured, the spokesman added. The bomber, wearing a police uniform, was waiting in the corridor when the officials came out, our correspondent says.
Seven people were killed in the explosion, including Gen Daud and the provincial police chief Shah Jahan Nuri, a spokesman for the governor's office said.
At least 10 Afghans were injured, including the provincial governor, he added.
The Taliban has claimed it carried out the attack.The Taliban has claimed it carried out the attack.
The top commander of foreign troops in north Afghanistan, Germany's General Markus Kneip, was in the compound at the time but survived the explosion, a Nato spokesman said. The governor's spokesman said three German troops were killed in the bombing, but this has not been confirmed by Nato.
Gen Kneip was wounded, along with three of his soldiers, while two German troops were killed, according to German media reports. A spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said there were reports of "a number of casualties" but did not give details.
"We are aware of reports there has been an attack at the governor's palace in Taloqan, Takhar province," said Major Tim James, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Kabul. Among those who survived the blast was General Markus Kneip, the top commander of foreign troops in north Afghanistan.
"Initial reports indicate there have been a number of Isaf and ANSF (Afghan National Security Force) casualties." An Isaf spokesman confirmed that Gen Kneip was in the compound at the time but "was not killed".
General Daud was a former deputy interior minister for narcotics. German media reported that the general was wounded, along with three of his soldiers, while two German troops were killed.
He had also served as the bodyguard to Ahmad Shah Massoud, who commanded the Northern Alliance. German troops are based in neighbouring Kunduz province, and have oversight of Takhar.
Takhar province was until recently a relatively quiet area of Afghanistan, but tensions rose in May after a Nato-led night raid in Taloqan which killed four people. The province was until recently a relatively quiet area of Afghanistan, but tensions rose in May after a Nato-led night raid in Taloqan which killed four people.
A crowd of 2,000 people took to the streets to protest against the attack, claiming the victims were civilians.A crowd of 2,000 people took to the streets to protest against the attack, claiming the victims were civilians.
Nato said the group were insurgents.Nato said the group were insurgents.
Police opened fire on the demonstrators, killing 12 people and wounding 80.Police opened fire on the demonstrators, killing 12 people and wounding 80.
A smaller protest the following day saw the provincial police chief's compound attacked.A smaller protest the following day saw the provincial police chief's compound attacked.