Afghanistan Hit by Wave of Attacks 2 Days Before Election

Source: New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — At least 10 people died in episodes of violence around the country in what seemed to be further indications of Afghanistan’s precarious security situation just two days before presidential elections, with the area near the presidential palace coming under fire.

“We understand that two mortars or rockets — as we call it, indirect fire — hit somewhere in the vicinity of the presidential palace and the Ministry of Defense,” said Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, a spokeswoman for the United States military. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The deputy presidential spokesman, Hamid Elmi, who spoke to The Associated Press, said that the palace was not seriously damaged and that President Hamid Karzai had not been injured.

Elsewhere in Kabul, several civilians and one NATO service member were killed in a suicide car bombing in Kabul.

In the suicide bombing, a statement from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said a military convoy had been attacked on the road leading east to Jalalabad. A statement from Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said seven civilians were killed and 50 wounded.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/world/asia/19afghan.html?hp

The light at the end of the tunnel probably is a train coming at ya.

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