Two die in Islamic pilgrimages office bombing

The director of an office for facilitating pilgrimages to Islamic holy sites was killed in a bomb attack in the volatile southern city of Kandahar today, Afghan police said.

Kandahar police chief Sher Mohammed Zazai said one other person also died in the attack and two people were wounded.

The bomb appeared to be a remote-controlled device concealed on a motorcycle which exploded as the director was leaving his office, according to eyewitness Mohammad Hassan Taimuri.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not clear why the director would be a target. However, Taliban insurgents who routinely target government institutions, are highly active in Kandahar.