4 killed as bomber hits Jamiat commander’s car in Sar-i-Pul

SAR-I-PUL (Pajhwok): A Jamiat-i-Islami commander survived a suicide bomb attack on his vehicle but his four relatives, including two sons, were killed in northern Sar-i-Pul province on Wednesday, the first day of religious festival Eidul Fitr.

The bomber’s target was Jamiat commander Haji Rahim, said Sar-i-Pul governor Mohammad Zahir Wihdat, who said the attack took place in Takzar area of Sancharak district at about 11am.

He said Rahim lost his two sons and two nephews to the suicide attack. A fifth relative of Rahim was injured in the incident.

After offering Eid prayers, Haji Rahim was heading to a graveyard to pay respects to his deceased relatives as part of tradition on first day of the festival when the bomber struck his car.

But Rahim was not in the car and his two sons and as many nephews who were sitting in the car parked on the side of a road were killed.

The governor said police had launched their investigation into the incident, but so far no one had been arrested. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.

The pro-government militia leader controlled many areas in the Sancharak district.

ma