Suicide attack on Afghanistan funeral kills at least 9: officials

KABUL: At least nine people were killed Thursday when a suicide bomber detonated himself at a funeral for the victims of a roadside bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan, provincial officials said.

"A suicide attacker detonated himself when he was identified by the police," said Khawani, the deputy security chief of eastern Laghman province where the attack took place, who goes by one name.

"Nine people were killed -- five police and four civilians -- as a result of the attack," he told AFP, adding that 34 people were also wounded by the bomb.

Earlier a local official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least eight people were killed in the attack in the city of Mehtarlam.

Laghman governor spokesman Sarhadi Zwak placed the death toll at 16, with another 39 wounded.

Thursday´s funeral was being held for a police commander and three other people who were killed in a roadside bomb blast, according to Zwak.