Police, civilians killed by bus bomb

KABUL, Afghanistan – A bomb ripped through a police bus in a crowded civilian area in Kabul today, leaving about 30 people dead or wounded, an official and witnesses said.

The police academy bus was carrying several recruits when the bomb went off inside it, leaving several dead, said Zalmai Khan, the deputy police chief of Kabul province.

Ali Shah Paktiawal, Kabul police director of criminal investigation, said initial reports indicate dozens of policemen were feared dead.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said 30 people were killed or wounded.

The roof of the bus was blown off and officers were pulling a number of bodies from the wreckage, according to areporter at the scene. The explosion twisted the bus into a charred skeleton.

Fazel Rahim, a doctor from a nearby hospital, said 18 bodies were in the hospital courtyard, while 35 wounded were being treated inside the building.

“Most of the wounded are in serious condition,” said Rahim, whose hands and white coat were covered in blood.

Wali Mohammad, an eyewitness who was driving his car just behind the bus, said “there were a lot killed and wounded, both police and civilian.”

The blast happened at a crowded bus station, used by both police and civilians, near the Kabul governor’s house.