Baghlan council chief among 13 killed in suicide blast

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): The provincial council chief was among more than a dozen people killed in a suicide attack that left another 10 people wounded in northern Baghlan province on Monday, officials said.

The senior public representative, Mohammad Rassoul Mohseni, was entering his office when a suicide bomber ran up, held him and detonated his suicide vest, Deputy Governor Abdul Qadim told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The blast took place at 10:10am outside the provincial council office situated in the 3rd police district of Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital.

Deputy Public Health Director Dr. Zubair Akbari confirmed the casualties and the death of Mohseni in the blast, saying two of the 10 injured were in critical condition. Several civilians, bodyguards and provincial council members were among the wounded.

Mohseni had previously received multiple death threats, his colleagues said. A witness, Mohammad Nasim, said an old man carried out the suicide attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing.

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