Nato, Taliban point fingers as dozens die in Afghan wedding blast

Nato forces and Taliban militants blamed each other on Friday for causing an explosion at a wedding in southern Afghanistan that killed dozens.

At least 40 people died at 77 were injured when a blast went off at a wedding party in the Arghandab district, north Kandahar, yesterday evening.

Many of the guests had links to police officials or local militia, reports claim, with Nato troops and local officials blaming the attack on a Taliban suicide bomber.

The Taliban condemned the attack, however, and denied any responsibility for carrying it out; blaming it instead on a Nato air-strike.

But US military spokesman Colonel Wayne Shanks said reports of an air-strike were "Taliban misinformation".

Commenting on the blast, which took place at 21:00 local time yesterday (17:30 BST), Lieutenant General Nick Parker, deputy commander of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said: "This ruthless violence brought to the Afghan people at what should have been a time for celebration demonstrates the Taliban's sickening and indiscriminate tactics to try to intimidate the citizens of Afghanistan. However, it only proves they have no regard for human life.

"Our sincere condolences and sympathy goes out to the families and friends affected by the loss of their loved ones in this horrible attack."

Lt Gen Parker added: "Isaf stands shoulder to shoulder with our Afghan partners, we will continue to drive the insurgents out of areas where they can hurt the Afghan people."