Suicide Bomber Fails To Kill Afghan Interior Minister

Afghan Interior Minister Bismullah Khan

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui has said a suicide bomber tried but failed to kill Interior Minister Bismullah Khan in Parwan, north of Kabul.

Siddiqui said only "I can confirm a failed assassination attempt on the minister, a suicide bomber was involved, no casualties."

The governor of Parwan Province Abdul Basir Salangi said the attack on October 23 happened on the road between the Sayed Khail and Gulbahar districts.

Salangi said the interior minister's convoy stopped for prayers and a suicide bomber hiding under a bridge approached the convoy.

Salangi said the interior minister's bodyguards saw the attacker and shot him dead before he could detonate a suicide vest he was wearing.

Salangi said Interior Minister Khan was safe.

compiled from agency reports