Kandahar, July 07: An unknown attacker threw a grenade into the home of an afghan official in the southern city of Kandahar, injuring a guard in the latest in a series of violent attacks in the Taliban's former stronghold, the official and witnesses said today. A man riding a bike hurled a grenade into the compound of Khalid Pashtun, spokesman for provincial governor Gul Agha, in central Kandahar city around 8:30 PM last night, watermelon sellers near the house who witnessed the blast said. "I'm safe, no-one is injured except one of my policemen who was slightly injured," said Pashtun. The explosion also damaged two cars and shattered windows in the house, which is located on the busy Kandahar-Herat Road in the city Centre.
Pashtun, who has around 10 police guards manning his residence, said the attacker escaped as they were all having dinner at the time of the blast.

After the blast the suspected attacker collided with a cart, abandoned his bike and turban and fled into the crowds, new Kandahar Security Chief General Mohammad Ishaq said, adding that police were hunting the man.

Pashtun blamed the attack on the Taliban and Hezb-I-Islami.
The blast is the latest in a series of violent incidents to hit the former Taliban stronghold. Bureau Report