Paktika: District police chief killed in explosion

SHARAN (Pajhwok): The police chief for Sar Rawza district of southeastern Paktika province has been killed and two of his bodyguards have been wounded in a blast, a source said on Saturday.

A security official, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News the tank carrying Sar Rawza police chief Col. Diyar Khan Shinwari struck a landmine in the restive district.

He said the police officer was killed in the blast and two of his bodyguards were critically wounded.

A local resident, Obaidullah, said Col. Shinwari was appointed as district police chief 10 days ago.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, meanwhile, claimed Col. Shinwari’s tank was blown up by the insurgent movement.

“Diyar Khan wanted to conduct raids against the Taliban who blew up his tank,” Mujahid said, adding the police chief and two of his bodyguards were killed in the blast.

Around a month ago, former police chief of the district Juma Khan had been killed in a similar attack.

hr/mud