Afghan Lawmaker Survives Assassination Bid

(RFE/RL) December 22, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- A bomber blew himself up outside the home of an Afghan lawmaker in Kabul today, killing one civilian and wounding at least seven people, including three bodyguards, RFE/RL's Afghan Service reported.

The apparent target of the attack, Pacha Khan Zadran, a lawmaker from Paktia Province, was not in the area.

Media described the attack as the first suicide bombing in Kabul in more than two months. Following the bombing, Zadran told RFE/RL that anyone who takes a stand against terrorism in Afghanistan risks becoming a target.

"Whoever stands against [the terrorists] becomes their enemy because they want to re-establish their bases in Afghanistan and take action again," Zadran said. "They want to make the country, once again, a safe haven for Al-Qaeda and the terrorists."

Also today, officials in Afghanistan's southern Oruzgan Province report that five police officers were killed today in a blast from a remote-controlled bomb.

(with material from Reuters, AFP)