Agencies

At least 19 people, including eight election workers have been killed in a bomb attack by Taliban insurgents at a district centre in southern Kandhar province.

Police said, the militants rammed four armoured vehicles packed with explosives into a government compound in Maruf district last night.

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission spokesman said, eight election workers who were stationed at the centre to register voters ahead of the presidential polls in September were also killed in the attack.

The attack comes as a new round of talks between the United States and the Taliban to end the 18-year long war in Afghanistan entered a second day in Qatar.

Afghanistan’s twice-delayed presidential election is now slated for September 28.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.