Suicide blast near Kabul airport kills 5

AFP, KABUL: At least five people were killed yesterday when a Taliban suicide car bomber struck near the entrance of Kabul's international airport, the latest in a wave of lethal bombings in the Afghan capital.
The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the blast, have stepped up attacks amid a bitter leadership transition following the announcement of the death of their leader Mullah Omar.
Observers say the upsurge in violence represents a bid by new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour to distract attention from the crisis roiling the militant movement as planned peace talks falter.
"The incident took place when a suicide car bomber struck the front gate of the airport," said Kabul police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi.
"Five civilians were killed and 16 others wounded including children," he said, with the interior ministry confirming the toll. Smoke billowed from the scene of the explosion, which occurred during the busy lunchtime period. An AFP photographer saw pieces of charred flesh littered around the checkpoint, where passengers undergo the first round of body checks before entering the airport.

Suicide blast near Kabul airport kills 5

AFP, KABUL: At least five people were killed yesterday when a Taliban suicide car bomber struck near the entrance of Kabuls international airport, the latest in a wave of lethal bombings in the Afghan capital. The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the blast, have stepped up attacks amid a bitter leadership transition following the announcement of the death of their leader Mullah Omar. Observers say the upsurge in violence represents a bid by new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour to distract attention from the crisis roiling the militant movement as planned peace talks falter. The incident took place when a suicide car bomber struck the front gate of the airport, said Kabul police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi. Five civilians were killed and 16 others wounded including children, he said, with the interior ministry confirming the toll. Smoke billowed from the scene of the explosion, which occurred during the busy lunchtime period. An AFP photographer saw pieces of charred flesh littered around the checkpoint, where passengers undergo the first round of body checks before entering the airport.