Suicide bombing in southern Afghanistan

A suicide bomber blew himself up, Friday, Jan. 7, in a public bath in the town of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan, killing 17 people including the police officer that it was, and at least 21 injured, local authorities said. The officer would be targeted and killed the head of the unit's rapid reaction brigade of the local border police.

The attack was claimed by the Taliban. The conflict in Afghanistan has killed 1 292 police officers in 2010, according to the Ministry of Interior. Suicide bombings are, with roadside bombs, the favorite weapon of insurgents fighting the government and its allied international forces since the latter drove the Taliban from power in late 2001.

Southern Afghanistan is a stronghold of the Taliban, whose rebellion has gained momentum and intensity in recent years. Kandahar was the capital of the Taliban, is regularly hit by attacks. But it intensified violence in recent months despite the presence in the region of tens of thousands of foreign soldiers, including Americans, sent as reinforcements to dislodge the Taliban.

Suicide bombings, which are normally the government or the Afghan and international forces, are much rarer in public places frequented. In the latter category, many have been perpetrated in the Kandahar region. Last June, a suicide bomber in the middle of a wedding were 50 fatalities and 87 injured.

• Suicide attack kills 17 in Afghanistan (07/01/2011)
• Suicide bomber kills 17 in Afghanitan (07/01/2011)
• Afghan suicide bomber hits bath house (07/01/2011)
• Trail of Warning Signs Led to Soldier's Suicide (02/01/2011)
• Bomber kills at least 17 in Afghan bathhouse (07/01/2011)

Afghanistan (geolocation)  Afghanistan (wikipedia)