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Taliban Suicide Bombing Targets Afghan Police

by Ayesha Tanzeem

   More than 20 people are dead and dozens more wounded in a terrorist
   attack on a police training center in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday.

   Officials say the attack began when a suicide bomber detonated a car
   filled with explosives near the training center in Gardez, the capital
   of Paktia province. After the explosion, a group of gunmen stormed the
   center and engaged in a shootout with police.

   Hedayatullah Hameedi, the city's public health director, told reporters
   both civilians and police were among the casualties.

   A source in Paktia provincial government said the chief of Paktia
   police, Toralia Abydani, was also killed in the attack.

   The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban spokesman
   Zabiullah Mujahid said the attack was part of its Mansoori operation.

   A similar attack took place Tuesday on a police compound in southern
   Ghazni province. The Associated Press says at least seven policemen
   were killed in that attack.