Karzai Asks Afghan Clerics To Campaign Against Turban Bombs

A blood-stained turban at the site where Kandahar Mayor Ghulam Haidar Hameedi was killed after a suicide blast on July 27.

President Hamid Karzai has asked Afghanistan's religious elders to use their influence to persuade Islamist insurgents not to hide suicide bombs in turbans in a bid to halt the new tactic.

Two separate turban bombings last month killed the mayor of the southern city of Kandahar and a senior cleric in the city.

The use of turbans to conceal explosive devices has raised questions about how to guard against this new ploy without causing religious offense.

A presidential spokesman, Siyamak Herawi, said that Karzai recently met with members of ulema councils -- influential bodies of clerics that regulate religious issues -- from around the country to discuss the issue.

The Taliban, however, deny using turbans to conceal bombs.

Reuters