JALALABAD (PAN):
Officials and relatives told Pajhwok Afghan News Dr. Abdullah Laghmani, deputy head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), two of his bodyguards and Provincial Council head Imaduddin Abdul Rahimzai were among the fatalities.
Many civilians were among those who perished in the bomb attack, a gubernatorial spokesman said, adding the victims were shifted to
Syed Ahmad Safi confirmed Laghmani, Rahimzai, the executive director of the governor's office were among the dead. Four of the injured are said to be struggling for life in hospital. He stopped short of blaming any group for the suicide attack.
Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Karim Omaryar, verified 23 people including a woman were killed and 35 others wounded by the bomber. The injured were taken to Mehtarlam and Jalalabad hospitals. The situation was under control, he said, urging the people to stay calm.
A member of the NDS officer's family, Naqibullah, confirmed Laghmani's death in the massive explosion that occurred at in front of the main mosque in the city. Eyewitness Bashir Sail feared the death toll could be even higher.
Nangarhar Public Health Director Dr. Ajmal Pardes, who had come to the Laghman capital, put the toll at 18 dead and 54 wounded. He said 32 of the injured were taken to Jalalabad and 20 to
Moalim Malang, head of the Laghman tribal council, said Laghmani was to inaugurate the reconstruction of the mosque. The NDS deputy chief was blown up as soon as he reached the mosque, where a large number of elders and religious scholars had already arrived.
Dr. Laghmani was killed along with a number of associates and security guards, added
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