Bomber kills Afghan intelligence chief.

02/09/09 16:55 CET

world news

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A suicide bomber in Afghanistan has killed the country’s deputy intelligence chief and around two dozen civilians.

Dr Abdullah Laghmani is one of the highest ranking officials in the government of Hamid Karzai to be killed. Witnesses say the bomber rushed out of a shop with his explosives just as officials were getting into their motorcade – militants proving yet again they can strike at will even within tight security. Dr Laghmani was on an official visit to the town of Mehtar Lam in Laghman province. The attack happened outside the city’s main mosque. A local governor claimed the attack was the work of the Taliban who are trying to destabilise the country in the aftermath of recent Presidential elections. Violence in Afghanistan this year has reached its highest peak since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. Afghan politics have been in limbo since August 20th. Partial results put incumbent President Karzai in front, but but not by enough to avoid a run off against rivals.More about: Afghanistan, Attack, Terrorism

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

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