Taliban Bombs Afghan Opium Task Force, Killing 18

41 wounded in attack as authorities target skyrocketing drug production
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:23 PM CDT
Taliban Bombs Afghan Opium Task Force, Killing 18
Afghan police officers examine the scene of a suicide attack in Khogyani district of Nangahar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.   (AP Photo)

A suicide bomber struck a meeting today of an Afghan poppy-eradication team, CNN reports, killing at least 18, including 11 police officers and seven civilians. Another 41 were injured in the attack in the eastern Nangarhar province; authorities said the incident was further proof of the rebel Taliban's involvement with the opium trade, believed to fund the insurgency.

NATO troops were nearby when the bomb detonated, but were unhurt. “If the goal of the insurgents was to target [NATO] troops operating in the area, they failed,” one commander said. “If the insurgents' goal was to injure and kill Afghan citizens, they succeeded. This only shows the insurgents' utter disregard for the life of the Afghan people.” (More Afghanistan stories.)

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