Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostam narrowly escaped assassination attempt when a suicide bomber blew himself up on Thursday, injuring at least 21 people, including Dostam's brother, officials said. The attacker, with explosives strapped to his body, struck outside the Ghocha Park Mosque in the northern town of Sheberghan, where the strongman had been offering Eid-ul-Azha prayers.
"After the prayers, as I left the mosque and I was putting on my shoes there was a big explosion. I am not hurt, but at least 21 of our compatriots were injured," Dostam told provincial Aina Television.
"According to the latest report I was given, six of them are in critical condition." The warlord blamed al Qaeda for the attack, without giving evidence to back his claim. "The investigation has not been completed, but personally I think this was the work of terrorists and an al Qaeda group," he said.
Television footage showed a group of people talking in the mosque's courtyard, followed by a blast and a cloud of smoke and scenes of panic. It then cut to a body and a charred pile of clothes lying on the ground.
Dostam's brother Qadir, who was injured in the blast, told AFP that Dostam's bodyguards stepped in front of the bomber and took the brunt of the explosion. "Two of the bodyguards are seriously injured," he added.
The exact number of injuries remained unclear. Interior Ministry Spokesman Lutfullah Mashal told AFP 23 people were injured while local television journalist Mohammed Yusuf Rawanyar said 22 were hurt. Despite the attack, a visibly shaken Dostam continued to hold court on Thursday afternoon at his house in Sheberghan, receiving over 30 guests, an AFP reporter said.
Visitors were frisked by a contingent of more than 10 armed guards at the gate of Dostam's compound, but the former general only had two guards at his side.
Although Dostam said his own forces had been weakened, he told the television he would "continue to fight terrorism till the last minute".