Two police killed, 20 children wounded in Afghan blast

Interior ministry blames Taliban for the attack

JALALABAD: At least two police officers were killed and about 20 children wounded when a truck bomb detonated near a police station in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said.

According to Asadullah Daulatzai, the spokesperson for the governor of Laghman province, the bomb outside a police headquarters building also partially destroyed a nearby madrassa or religious school.

"The students were wounded by flying glass," he said, noting that "about 20" students were hurt.

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Six police officers were also wounded.

The interior ministry confirmed the toll and blamed the attack on the Taliban.

The insurgent group did not immediately comment.

Afghanistan is currently awaiting results of the first round of presidential voting, which took place last month.

Polling was marred by several small-scale attacks claimed by the Taliban, who worked to disrupt the democratic process.