Afghan candidate hurt as Kabul blast kills two

A powerful explosion hit central Kabul yesterday, wounding Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s running mate in the upcoming election and killing at least two others, officials said. At least 25 civilians were injured in the blast that occurred on a road near the private Ghalib University and Shahid Square, a four-way intersection, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. Rahimi said that immediately after the blast, gunmen had entered the university building and were targeting the main political office of the vice presidential candidate, Amrullah Saleh. Saleh was wounded by shrapnel before being safely evacuated from the office of his Afghan Green Trend Party. The party office is located adjacent to the university.