A bomb exploded inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan, seriously injuring a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections and at least 16 other people.
The candidate, Mawlvi Saydullah, was making a speech at the mosque in the Mando Zayi district of Khost Province -- about 15 kilometers west of the provincial capital -- when the explosion occurred.
He reportedly was in a coma after the attack.
Mubariz Zadran, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said Saydullah was the target of the attack.
Saydullah was running for a seat in the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of the Afghan parliament, in elections scheduled for September.
RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, with agency reports
The candidate, Mawlvi Saydullah, was making a speech at the mosque in the Mando Zayi district of Khost Province -- about 15 kilometers west of the provincial capital -- when the explosion occurred.
He reportedly was in a coma after the attack.
Mubariz Zadran, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said Saydullah was the target of the attack.
Saydullah was running for a seat in the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of the Afghan parliament, in elections scheduled for September.
RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, with agency reports