Afghan governor survives suicide attack

Arsala Jamal survived an assassination attempt when a suicide attacker rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the governor's convoy, killing or wounding an unknown number of people, police said.

Governor of Khost in eastern Afghanistan Arsala Jamal survived an assassination attempt on Wednesday when a suicide attacker rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the governor's convoy, killing or wounding an unknown number of people, police said.

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"The bomber missed the governor's car and instead hit another vehicle in which Jamal's bodyguards were sitting," said Mohammad Ayoub Khan, provincial police chief.

Six bodyguards were in the car that took the direct hit, Khan said, adding that they were immediately rushed to hospital but authorities were still not sure how many were dead or wounded.

The attack came as the governor was returning from a visit to Khost's Alisher district, Khan said.