Car bomb explosion rattles east Afghan city, casualties reported

Several people were either killed or wounded after a car bomb blast rattled Mehtarlam city, capital of Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province on Monday, local police confirmed.

 

"The explosion occurred roughly at 10:00 a.m. local time. The blast targeted the convoy of the provincial governor running along a road. The governor escaped the attack, but pedestrians and policemen guarding the convoy were affected," said a police officer who declined to be named.

 

The blast sent a column of thick smoke into the sky and triggered panic, the police officer added.

 

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

 

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

 

xinhua