Afghan defence minister survives Jalalabad bomb attack

Afghanistan’s interim defence minister has survived an apparent assassination attempt after a bomb exploded near his convoy in the eastern city of Jalalabad today.

Mohammed Fahim was unhurt when the bomb exploded 200 yards behind the convoy, but four bystanders were killed and another 16 were injured.

The dead and injured were people who had lined the road to welcome Fahim to Jalalabad, where he was meeting local commanders and tribal leaders.

The motive for the bombing is unclear.

Last week, Afghan police arrested at least 160 people on suspicion of plotting a "coup d’etat" against the interim government installed by the UN last year.