4 policemen dead in Kunduz suicide blast

KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): Three policemen were killed and seven others, including civilians, wounded in a suicide bombing in northern Kunduz province on Friday morning, an official said.

The bomber blew himself up among people offering prayers for northern zone police commander Gen. Daud Daud, who was killed in an attack on a high-level meeting in neighbouring Takhar province on May 28.

Kunduz police chief Brig. Gen. Samiullah Qatra, who was among the participants of the ceremony, escaped unhurt in the assault. At least seven people, including four civilians, were injured.

Police spokesman Syed Sarwar Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan News the injured were in stable condition. The bomber detonated his explosives before reaching his target, Gen. Qatra, he said.

But Director of Public Health Dr. Zafar Noori put the toll at four police officials killed and 18 others wounded.  Fourteen of the injured are policemen and four civilians.

There was no immediate assertion of responsibility, but the Taliban often claim attacks on government officials.

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