Afghan election hopeful survives roadside bomb
A convoy carrying Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s vice presidential running-mate came under attack today in north-eastern Afghanistan, the presidential palace said.
It was the third attack on Karzai’s supporters ahead of landmark weekend elections.
The vice presidential hopeful, Ahmed Zia Massoud, was not injured, said Khalik Ahmed, a spokesman at the palace.
But Badakhshan Governor Said Ikramudin Masumi was among those injured.
Mutaleb Beg, a local police official, said one person was killed and four others injured.
The convoy was apparently attacked by a roadside bomb or mine, presumably set off by remote control as it passed along a road near Faisabad, the capital of the province, Ahmed said.
The area is not considered a haven for Taliban rebels and had been relatively peaceful in the past.
Ahmed would not comment on who might be behind the attack, but said they would not succeed in derailing Saturday’s vote.
“The elections will continue 100 per cent. We knew from day one that as we got closer to the elections, the enemies of Afghanistan would try to disrupt them, but they will not succeed, ever,” he said.
Ahmed said the governor’s injuries were minor.
Ahmed Zia Massoud is the brother of murdered Northern Alliance commander Ahmed Shah Massoud.
Karzai selected him as a running-mate over current Vice President and Defence Minister Mohammed Fahim.
