PAN, March 9, 2013

Eight Children killed in Khost blast

Eight children and one policeman were killed on Saturday when a suicide attacker blew up his explosives on a road

By Hidayatullah Khosti

A boy, who lost his father in the suicide attack, walks around a hospital in a daze in Faryab province. A suicide bomber killed as many as 37 and wounded dozens more when he detonated among worshippers at northern mosque on the first day of a Muslim holiday, on October 26, 2012. (Photo: AP)

Eight children and one policeman were killed on Saturday when a suicide attacker blew up his explosives on a road beside a joint patrol of Afghan police and international forces in this capital city of southeastern Khost province, an official said.

The strike around 10:30am targeted the joint Afghan-US patrol in the Kandi area on Khost City's outskirts, but eight passing civilians were killed and two more civilians were wounded in the attack, Quick Reaction Police Force commander Col. Sardar told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Witness Qismatullah said the slain policeman recognised and hugged the suicide attacker before he blew himself up.

The blast came less than two hours later nine people were killed and 10 others were injured when a suicide attacker blew up his explosives-packed motorcycle in the gates of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in central capital Kabul.

Characters Count: 1600