Bomb kills 10 Afghan workers

KANDAHAR: Up to 10 people killed and 30 others wounded Tuesday when a truck carrying road workers struck a bomb in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

The incident happened in rural Panjwayi district in the province of Kandahar, which is the birthplace of the Taliban and one of the most violent parts of the country, frequently hit by major attacks.

"Ten dead, 30 injured have been sent to the hospital," said Abdul Qayoum Pukhla, provincial health director of Kandahar. The bombing was confirmed by Panjwayi's district chief Fazluddin Agha. "Yes, there was an explosion killing and injuring road workers but I don't have the exact number of casualties," said Agha.

One survivor who did not want to be named said there were a total of 40 people on board the truck. People working on government projects such as road-building in Afghanistan are frequently targeted by the Taliban and other insurgents fighting for nearly 10 years against US-led foreign troops and the Western-backed administration.