KHUJAND, September 3, 2001, Asia-Plus – At least 26 officers from the Sughd regional body empowered to combat organized crime were injured in a blast that occurred outside the building of the Sughd anti organized crime department in Khujand today morning.

Habib Homidov, the head physician of the central city hospital in Khujand, told Asia-Plus that 26 police officers had been taken to the hospital today morning.  According to him, injured police officers are continuing to be admitted to the hospital ward.  “There are no civilians among the injured,” the head physician said.

In the meantime, according to the preliminary data from the Ministry of Interior, the blast has caused casualties both among police officers and civilians. 

A suicide bomber reportedly blew up an explosive-packed car outside the building of the Sughd anti organized crime department in Khujand today morning, at around 8:00 am.  The bombing occurred just as officers were taking physical training, a reliable source at a MoI said.