A man stands at the site of attack in Samangan province July 14, 2012 (Reuters / Stringer)
A suicide bomber blew himself up at a wedding reception in northern Afghanistan today, killing at least 22 people including a prominent politician, and wounding 40 others.
RTE News reported:
The death toll makes Saturday’s attack one of the most lethal in the country for months.
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Influential Afghan lawmaker Ahmad Khan Samangani, who hosted the party, was among those killed, provincial governor Khairullah Anosh said.
“It was Ahmad Khan Samangani’s daughter’s wedding. A suicide bomber blew himself up, killing and wounding dozens,” Mr Anosh said.
The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack.
“We don’t have a hand in this issue,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “Ahmad Khan (Samangani) was a former commander of the mujahideen, he was notorious and many people could have had problems with him.”
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Mr Samangani, a powerful political figure from Samangan province, was also a former mujahideen chief who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, and against the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule.
Afghans in some parts of northern Afghanistan, which is relatively peaceful compared with volatile southern and eastern parts of the country, hold ceremonies early in the morning.
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