Several Killed In Afghan Suicide Bombing

  April 21, 2013 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Afghan officials say three civilians have been killed and seven others injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up in eastern Afghanistan.

Paktika's provincial governor's office said in a statement that the blast occurred in the Janikhel district of southeast Paktika Province, on the border with Pakistan.

The statement said that Ehsanullah Sadat, former district governor for Janikhel who quit his post two years ago, was among the dead.

Two police officers were among those injured.

The statement blamed the attack on the "enemies of Afghans," a term usually used by officials to refer to Taliban militants.

The injured were taken to the main district hospital and their condition is said to be stable.

Police Killed In 'Insider Attack'

Meanwhile, also in Afghanistan, insurgents have attacked a police checkpoint in Ghazni Province, Afghan officials say.

Six police officers were reportedly killed in the incident on April 21, which occurred while the officers were sleeping.

One was wounded and one is missing.

According to the AFP news agency, the militants were aided by one of the police officers, who led them into the post.

The slain officers were part of the Afghan Local Police, a U.S.-funded effort to recruit locals into community policing units.

More than 60 international troops and scores of Afghan security personnel have been killed in insider attacks in recent months, breeding mistrust in the run-up to the withdrawal of international combat forces by the end of 2014.

Taliban Chop Off Limbs Of Two Men

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, officials say Taliban militants have chopped off one hand and one leg of two young Afghan men.

The incident took place on April 20 in western Herat province, said Noor Khan Nekzad, the spokesman for the provincial governor.

He said the two men worked for a private security company providing logistics for NATO convoys.

Nekzad said the men were found in Herat's Rabat-e Sangi district and were receiving treatment in hospital in Herat city.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the amputations.

A statement from the Taliban said that the men had been found guilty of several highway robberies.

During their rule from 1996-2001, the Taliban imposed harsh justice, including flogging, stoning to death, and the amputation of limbs.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, Pajhwok, and Khaama