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80 Killed in Afghan Bombing

Posted Feb 17, 08 5:40 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – A suicide blast today killed at least 80 in a crowd of spectators watching a dog fight in the Afghan city of Kandahar. Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack, but local authorities believe it was the work of the Taliban, which has a large presence in the area, BBC reports. Militia leaders watching the dog fight were the likely target of the attack.

"Fighting had just started between two dogs. Suddenly, I heard a huge explosion next to a police vehicle," a witness said. The attack is Afghanistan's deadliest since 2001, and points to the growing regional and national strength of the Taliban. Dog-fighting, a popular spectator sport in Afghanistan, was banned under Taliban rule.

Source BBC

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Afghan policeman, right, stands near the damaged police vehicles near the site of a suicide attack on the western edge of Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb. 17. 2008. A suicide bombing...   (Associated Press)
An Afghan boy, left, cries as another boy, center, carries the shoe of his wounded relative near the site of a suicide attack on the western edge of Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb....   (Associated Press)
Afghan policemen stand near the site of a suicide attack on the western edge of Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb. 17. 2008. A suicide bombing at an outdoor dog fighting competition...   (Associated Press)
Afghan policemen in plainclothes inspect the damaged police vehicle near the site of a suicide attack on the western edge of Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb. 17. 2008. A suicide...   (Associated Press)
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Afghanistan • terrorism • Taliban • bombing • dogfighting • suicide attack • Kandahar



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