3 foreign soldiers among 25 killed in Khost suicide attack

KHOST CITY (PAN): Three American soldiers were among 25 people killed and 30 others injured  on Wednesday morning when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a foreign troop convoy in southeastern Khost province.

The attack took place at 11:30am near the Spin Jumat area of Khost City, the provincial capital, an official said.

Up to 21 dead bodies including 5 policemen and more than 30 injured people have been brought to the Khost Civil Hospital, Dr Majid Mangal, the hospital director, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

In a statement, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed that three of their soldiers were killed in the insurgent attack, but did not reveal further details.

A doctor at the Rahman Baba Hospital, Malik Mir, also confirmed receiving seven bodies and 14 injured people at the private medical facility.

Two policemen were among the dead and three others among the wounded, he said, adding that some of the injured were in critical condition.

A source, who wished anonymity, said an Afghan interpreter was also killed in the blast.

Afghan and foreign people were busy taking retinal scans and fingerprints when the explosion occurred, said the provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Sardar Mohammad Zazai.

Witness Rafiullah claimed seeing two Afghan policemen and six US soldiers lying on the ground. They were bleeding, he said, giving no further details.

myn/mud/vp

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