Experts were trying to identify the body of a suicide attacker who detonated a bomb outside an Afghan army training centre in Kabul, killing nine people and wounding 28, Afghanistan’s defence minister said today.

Taliban rebels today urged Afghans to boycott this weekend’s legislative elections that many are hoping will marginalise the insurgents, while a candidate was shot dead and four other people were killed in bombings near polling stations, officials said.

OSAMA BIN LADEN’S al-Qaida network is regrouping and intends to bring Iraq-style bloodshed to Afghanistan, the nation’s defence minister said yesterday, warning that the country could be in for several months of intense violence ahead of key legislative elections.

Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network is regrouping and intends to bring Iraq-style bloodshed to Afghanistan, the nation’s defence minister said today, warning that the country could be in for several months of intense violence ahead of key legislative elections.

A powerful warlord launched an assault against a rival commander and a provincial governor in northern Afghanistan today.