Afghan officials say a wave of attacks in Afghanistan Monday
killed at least 27 people.
Southern Zabul province was the scene of two major attacks. A roadside bomb
explosion in a remote district killed 12 civilians who were being transported
by tractor. Taliban fighters also attacked a group of security guards and
killed six people near Qalat, the provincial capital.
Earlier (Monday), a suicide bomber in eastern Laghman province killed a
mayor (Mohammad Rahim of Mehterlam), three of his bodyguards and three
civilians.
In Kabul, President Hamid Karzai officially registered his candidacy for
president in Afghanistan's elections later this year (on August 20).
Mr. Karzai is running for a second term with two running mates - current Vice
President Karim Khalili and former Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim.
A worsening Taliban insurgency in the country and charges of government
corruption have weakened Mr. Karzai's image at home and abroad, but no strong
challenge to his re-election bid has emerged.