<p>KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Police detained two persons after a bomb was defused near the venue where presidential contender Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was to address a public gathering in northern Kunduz province, an official said on Wednesday.</p>
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<p>Police spokesman Syed Sarwar Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan News the mine had been planted in front of the Pamir Hotel in Kunduz City, the provincial capital.</p>
<p>Police defused the explosive before it could have played havoc with participants of a scheduled rally at the hotel, he said.</p>
<p>He said two suspects had been detained in connection with the plot apperrently targeting the rally in support of Ahmadzai, a leading candidate.</p>
<p>Hussaini said the pair had confessed to planting the bomb.</p>
<p>aa/rm/ma</p>
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