Explosion kills 2, wounds 4 in E Afghanistan

A bomb explosion rocked Khost province in east Afghanistan Sunday, killing two persons and wounding four others, all of them civilians, an official said.

"The people were gathered to celebrate Nawruz or New Year of Afghanistan in Kokarak village outside Khost city, the capital of Khost province, when a bomb went off, killing two persons and injuring four others," spokesman for provincial administration Mubariz Zadran told Xinhua.

All the victims are innocent civilians, he further said.

He put the attack on the enemies of peace, a term used against Taliban militants, saying insurgents by carrying out such attacks want to disrupt the happiness of people.

Taliban militants who had banned Nawruz celebration during their six-year rule collapsed in late 2001 have yet to make comment.

Afghanistan's new year falls on March 21 and the day is celebrated nationwide. Sunday is the first day of the year 1389 in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua