Roadside bomb kills district chief in southern Afghanistan

Roadside bomb kills district chief in southern Afghanistan

2011-12-15 07:31:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

LASHKARGAH, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Three people were killed on early Wednesday afternoon when a roadside bomb hit a vehicle in southern Afghanistan, officials said. A local district chief was among those killed.

The attack happened at around 1 p.m. local time in the Taghaz area of Deshu district, which is located in the southern province of Helmand. The administrative chief of the Khanashin district, Masood Khan, was returning from an official visit to oversee an ongoing campaign against poppy cultivation.

The explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), killed Masood as well as two others, an intelligence operative and a police officer. In addition, three bodyguards who were also in the vehicle were injured.

Masood had been appointed as administrative chief in 2008 after an anti-Taliban operation was carried out by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces.

Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act, according to the Pajhwok Afghan news agency. He also sent his condolences to the families of the victims and wished quick recoveries for the injured.

It was not immediately known which group was behind the attack.

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