Suicide blast kills 14 school children

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-29  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE United States military says a suicide bombing near an Afghan primary school killed 14 children yesterday. Authorities had earlier said five children were killed.

A bomber was trying to attack a meeting of tribal elders in eastern Afghanistan yesterday. The military says a total of 16 people were killed in the explosion and 58 were wounded.

Khost deputy police chief Yacoub Khan says the suicide blast went off near the entrance to a police and army post. US troops are also stationed inside the outpost, but no troops were wounded or killed in the attack.

Dr Abdul Rahman, a doctor at a hospital near the blast, said the children were aged 8 to 10.

Khan said Pashtun tribal elders from Mandozai district were meeting in the compound to discuss security. It was not immediately clear how many - if any - were wounded or killed.

The attack came on the last day of school for the year. Students had gathered in classrooms to receive end-of-year certificates.