Governor among 15 killed in Afghan mosque blast

A provincial governor and at least 14 other people were killed by a massive bomb blast inside a packed mosque during Friday prayers in northern Afghanistan, where insurgents have stepped up violence amid intensified NATO-Afghan military operations.

More than 30 people were wounded in the explosion at the Shirkat mosque in Takhar province, seven seriously, provincial health official Dr. Hassain Basech said.

Gen. Shah Jahan Noori, the provincial police chief, said the governor of neighboring Kunduz province, Mohammad Omar, was killed along with 14 other people. The bomb was meant to kill Omar, who regularly attends Friday prayers at the mosque, Takhar Gov. Abdul Jabar Taqwa said.

"He was the target, and the terrorists were able to kill him," Taqwa said. "This is a big loss for us because Mohammad Omar was a very brave and good governor."

Wounded people wrapped in blood-stained blankets were rushed to the hospital. One man, his face charred black from the blast, was carried on a stretcher.

No group claimed responsibiility, but the Taliban have targeted Omar previously.

One of Afghanistan's 34 provincial governors, he survived at least three previous assassination attempts, including ambushes and roadside bombs. A bombing along a main highway in May 2009 slightly wounded him. Omar blamed the "enemies of peace and security."

In an Afghan television interview last week, Omar said if security wasn't increased in Kunduz province, insurgents would not only be a threat to northern Afghanistan, but to neighboring nations as well. Omar said his province was home to Afghan militants as well as foreign fighters.

Kunduz was being used by insurgents to stage attacks throughout the region, he said.
Afghan officials are prime targets for the Taliban and other militant groups that have instituted an assassination campaign against people who work with the Afghan government or NATO forces.