Afghanistan: Over 30 dead in twin suicide car bombings

More than 30 people, including the provincial police chief, were killed in twin suicide car bombings in southeastern Paktia province on Tuesday, officials said.

The incident took place when the militants attacked the regional police headquarters at around 09.00 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) in the province, less than 100 miles from the capital Kabul.

The militants used a truck and armored vehicle stolen from the security forces to carry out the attack that left 33 people including police chief Brig. Gen. Toryali Abdiani dead and more than 100 wounded, Deputy Governor Hidayatullah Hamidi told Anadolu Agency.

According to the local officials, a large number of Paktia University students and civilians present near the police headquarters for collecting their identity cards and passports are also among the victims.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior in Kabul noted that the special units of the police overpowered the remaining five attackers.

It said a total of seven militants took part in the attack; two carried out the initial suicide car bombings and the rest of the attackers engaged with the police in armed clashes.

Bordering Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal agency, Paktia province of Afghanistan is the birthplace of the Taliban's Haqqani Network.

In a statement published on twitter, Zabihullah Mujahed, the Taliban spokesman, claimed the special unit of the police was the prime target and up to 450 policemen living in the headquarters were targeted in Tuesday's 'tactical attack'.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack.

"We learned with sorrow that police officers and civilians were killed and many more were wounded in an attack perpetrated against a police-training center in Paktia province in east of Afghanistan," the ministry said in a statement.

"We condemn this terrorist attack, wish Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives, speedy recovery to the wounded, and convey our condolences to the brotherly Government and people of Afghanistan," the statement added.

Pakistan's Foreign Office also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"We are deeply saddened and grieved at the loss of precious lives in the dastardly attack. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this brutal terrorist attack and to the Government and the people of Afghanistan," it said in a statement.