Afghanistan: Deadly Suicide Blast At Kabul Police Office

Afghan security personnel gather moments after the blast

The attack follows a spate of bombings as the Taliban continue their campaign against Afghanistan's western-backed government.

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Ten people have been killed and at least 20 more wounded after a suicide bomber attacked a queue of people outside a Kabul police office.

The blast followed a spate of suicide attacks last month including one that killed seven journalists from a local television station and another in which six US troops were killed.
The attacks have coincided with concerted efforts to revive Afghanistan's peace process while the Taliban continues its campaign against the country's western-backed government.

The attack coincided with efforts to revive Afghanistan's peace process

The blast comes as parts of Afghanistan continue to suffer prolonged blackouts after insurgents destroyed an electricity pylon in the Dand Shahabuddin district of Baghlan province last week.

The pylon, which was cut down with machine saws, brought power from Uzbekistan to meet almost half of Kabul's 600 megawatt daily requirement.

Engineers have been unable to repair the power lines due to the presence of nearby mines and the threat from insurgents.

Residents have reported that more pylons have since been brought down.

The blast followed a spate of suicide attacks last month

Abdul Satar Barez, the provincial governor of Baghlan, said operations to secure the area to allow repair crews to work on the pylons had been suspended due to fog and bad weather.

"Taliban are still in the area, they are a threat and danger and we cannot launch our operation now. We are waiting for the weather to get better," he said.

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Last month, Helmand's deputy governor Mohammad Jan Rasulyar warned that the southern province of Helmand was "on the brink" of falling to the Taliban, despite Afghan troops having received extensive training by US and British forces.