Kabul suicide blast kills 6 ahead of security talks

GlobalPost

A suicide bomber rammed his car into an Afghan army vehicle in Kabul, killing at least six people Saturday ahead of security talks next week.

The attack took place just hours after President Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban to take part in next Thursday's Loya Jirga assembly, where political and tribal elites will decide whether to allow some US troops to remain in the country after 2014.

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The vehicle exploded just 500 feet from the giant tent that will host the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the interior ministry, the bomber was being pursued by security forces shortly before the explosion.

"The attacker driving a vehicle had been identified and was being pursued by security forces. He detonated himself after police opened fire on his vehicle," according to the statement.

At least six people were killed and 22 injured. The casualties were a mix of soldiers and civilians.

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No one claimed immediate responsibility for the attack, although some officials suspected the Taliban.

"No doubt the enemy will try its best to target the Jirga, but I can say with confidence that our security forces are on high alert and will foil the enemy's desperate effort," Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told AFP.

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