Afghan Provincial Police Chief Survives Suicide Attack

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan -- The police chief of Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province has escaped a suicide car bomb attack on his convoy.

A provincial government spokesman said Mohammad Nabi Ilham was on his to way to work on the morning of June 17 when the car bomber struck on a main road in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

Ilham’s armored car was badly damaged.

The spokesman said the police chief was unharmed, but two guards sustained minor injuries.

Ilham told reporters, "I will continue fighting against enemies of Afghanistan and hostile elements that have put our people’s life at risk."

In a telephone call to RFE/RL, a Taliban spokesman said the militant group was behind the attack.

Insurgents frequently attack police and civilian officials working for the Afghan government.

With reporting by AFP and AP