Suicide bomber attack at funeral in northern Afghanistan; 9 killed, around 20 wounded

A suicide bomber at a funeral in northern Afghanistan killed at least nine people and wounded more than a dozen others on Monday, a provincial official said. Taliban insurgents have launched increasingly deadly attacks in Afghanistan this year, as foreign forces continue to withdraw after more than a decade of war.

"Seven civilians and two policemen were killed and up to 20 civilians were wounded," said Jawid Basharat, a spokesman for the governor of Baghlan province, where the attack occurred. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last week, a suicide bomber killed more than 50 people, including several policemen, attending a crowded volleyball match in the eastern province of Paktika. A spate of Taliban attacks on international aid workers' housing in the capital, Kabul, also prompted the city's police chief to offer his resignation on Sunday. However, General Mohammad Zahir was back at work by Monday after his resignation was rejected, police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai said.