A bomb blast inside a mosque in northern Afghanistan on Friday killed a provincial Governor, jolting attempts by President Hamid Karzai to reach out to the Taliban.
Governor of Kunduz province Mohammad Omar was killed and at least 20 people were wounded in the strike inside the Shirkat mosque. The mosque is located in Taloqan, the capital of the northern Takhar province, where Mr. Omar had a home. Governor of Takhar Abdul Jabar Taqwa said Mr. Omar appeared to be the victim of an assassination plot. “We believe a bomb was set up in the mosque to kill the Governor,” he was quoted as saying. There had been several previous attempts on Mr. Omar, known to be close to Mr. Karzai. The Taliban had killed his brother last year. In another high profile assassination, the Taliban killed the deputy Governor of the eastern Ghazni province two weeks ago.
Peace council
Analysts say Friday's killing may have been intended to discourage Mr. Karzai's effort to engage the Taliban in negotiations to end Afghanistan's internal conflict. On Thursday, the President formally launched a 70-member peace council as the nodal organisation to draw militants into negotiations.
Mr. Karzai said the council, comprising political, religious and tribal representatives, would work independently. The government would play a supportive role, whenever required, he said. He again urged the Taliban to hold talks, in response to his “peace call”.
