Suicide blast kills Afghan officers

Bomber on a motorbike struck a minibus full of intelligence officials, killing at least eight and wounding nearly 30. Last Modified: 12 Jan 2011 09:42 GMT

The powerful blast on a busy street during Kabul's early morning rush hour damaged many cars and buildings [REUTERS] A suspected suicide bomber on a motorbike has killed at least eight Afghan security personnel and wounded 27 in an attack near the country's parliament in Kabul. The Afghan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. Al Jazeera's Sue Turton, reporting from the capital Kabul, said that the attack on Wednesday targeted a bus that was carrying Afghan security forces. "The motorbike detonated next to what appeared to be a normal bus, but government officials have confirmed that it was actually carrying security forces," our correspondent said. "We are seeing a wave of suicide attacks as the Taliban is coming off the battle field and using suicide bombings and assassinations on what they see as legitimate targets." The powerful blast on a busy street during Kabul's early morning rush hour shattered the windows of dozens of houses and buildings nearby, while the bus and two private vehicles were damaged. The suspected bomber's body and his destroyed motorbike lay nearby.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies