Afghan Officials: 7 Killed in Two Bomb Attacks in Kandahar
By VOA News
17 November 2008
Afghan officials say at least seven people have been killed in two separate bomb attacks Monday in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
Two police officers and a civilian were killed in a suicide attack at the entrance of a government office in Dand district.
Government spokesman Zalmai Ayobi says at least two other policemen were wounded in the blast as authorities tried to stop the bomber from entering the building.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Also today, officials say four civilians were killed when a bomb exploded near an Afghan Army patrol in Kandahar's Panjwayi district. At least eight people were wounded in that blast.
In other news, Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday offered to provide security for the Taliban's reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, if Omar agrees to enter peace talks with the government.
Mr. Karzai said he will guarantee Omar's safety, even if it means defying Afghanistan's international partners.
The Afghan leader suggested that if the United States and other nations disagree, they can oust him or leave the country.
In the past, Taliban leaders have said foreign troops must leave Afghanistan before peace talks can begin. But Mr. Karzai repeated his long-held position that any Taliban faction that wants to negotiate peace must first accept the Afghan constitution and renounce al-Qaida.
U.S. and Afghan officials have expressed support for peace talks with "reconcilable" elements of the Taliban, although Washington has previously rejected the idea.
Omar founded the Taliban movement that ran Afghanistan from 1996 until the U.S.-led invasion seven years ago.
He has since been an international fugitive with a $10 million bounty on his head for sheltering al-Qaida leaders. Afghan officials believe he is in hiding in Pakistan.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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