The Associated Press, March 21, 2014

Afghanistan: Bomb hits Persian New Year ceremony, kills 3

The assault is the latest in a string of attacks surrounding the Nowruz holiday

By Mirwais Khan

Afghan officials say an explosion during a ceremony marking the Persian New Year has killed three people in the southern province of Kandahar.

Police spokesman Zia Durani says militants used a new style of weapon in Friday's attack. He says they threw an explosives-packed bottle that blew up when it landed on the ground.

Durani says those killed included the head of the provincial media center chief and two policemen. He says seven other people were wounded.

The assault is the latest in a string of attacks surrounding the Nowruz holiday. The Taliban have threatened a campaign of violence to disrupt April 5 national elections.

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