Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 31, 2008

Deputy Governor Among Several Killed in Suicide Blast in Afghanistan
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B1B49A:A6F02AD83191E160145F72D3187DDE2F5C6F54A6CF9DC2CA& Incident happened
in Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province

A suicide bomb attack targeting a mosque in Afghanistan has left at
least six people dead, including a provincial deputy governor. At
least 18 others were wounded in the bombing. Ayaz Gul reports from
neighboring Pakistan.







Afghan policemen inspect the site of a suicide attack at a mosque in
Lashkar Gah the capital of Helmand Province, 31 Jan 2008Local
authorities and witnesses say the victims were praying in the mosque
when the suicide bomber struck. The incident happened in Lashkar Gah,
the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

The deputy provincial governor, Per Mohammad, was among those killed
in the attack.

"[The] suicide bomber got into a mosque and detonated himself inside
the mosque when the Muslim brothers were praying in the mosque," said
Zamary Bashary, a spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, "All of
the injured and all of the death people are those who were praying in
the mosque. The ministry of interior of Afghanistan very deeply
condemns this act of the enemies of peace, the enemies of Islam and
the enemies of Afghan people. "

Authorities in Afghanistan blame Taliban insurgents for such violent
acts. Helmand Province is a major opium-poppy growing area and scene
of frequent clashes between U.S.-led foreign troops and insurgents.

The mosque attack happened hours after another suicide bomber struck
an Afghan army bus in Kabul, instantly killing one person and wounding
several others.


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