Suicide blasts kill 20 in Kandahar

2012-06-06 162

The site of twin suicide blasts outside the airport in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar.

At least 20 people were killed and 50 were wounded here, in one of the bloodiest attacks in recent weeks.

A man on a motorcycle blew himself up in a crowded car park near a NATO base at the airport.

A few minutes later, as people gathered at the site of the blast, another bomber walked into the crowd and detonated his explosives.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan since the Taliban began a Spring offensive in April, vowing to target the Afghan government and security forces, as well as the 130,000 foreign troops in the country.

Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban, has seen some of the worst attacks of the 10-year conflict.

Travis Brecher, Reuters