Afghanistan Suicide Attack At Volleyball Match Kills 40

A suspected suicide bomber has killed at least 40 people and injured 60 others in eastern Afghanistan, an Afghan official said Sunday.



The injured were initially believed to number over 100 people when the blast was reported in the early minutes.



The suspected bomber blew himself up during a volleyball match in Yahya Khil district of eastern Paktika province, a provincial governor spokesman said.



"Initial reports from the district indicate that at least 40 civilians were killed and nearly 60 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives wrapped on his body among people who were watching the volleyball tournament," the spokesman said.



He added that all casualties were innocent civilians and feared the toll may increase further.



The suicide bomber was said to be on foot; many causalities were young people, he said. 



Earlier on Sunday, the lower house of Afghan parliament approved a controversial Bilateral Security Agreement with the U.S. and a Status of Forces Agreement with NATO that would allow foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kabil