Afghan Vice President Dostum ends exile, returns home

By Shadi Khan Saif  

KABUL, Afghanistan 

A deadly suicide bomb targeted the convoy of Afghan Vice President Abdul Rasheed Dostum on Sunday who returned home after 14 months of self-exile in Turkey.

A charged crowd comprising his Junbish-e-Islami party loyalists, government officials and politicians welcomed him at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the capital Kabul at 4.30 p.m. (1200GMT). 

Minutes after his convoy left the airport, a suicide blast rocked the area killing at least 11 people and wounding 14 others, local media and officials confirmed. 

Hashmat Stanikzai, spokesman for the Afghan National Police (ANP) in Kabul, informed Anadolu Agency that a lone suicide bomber wished to walk close to the convoy of the vice president, but blew his explosives when the security forces intercepted him.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Dostum, who escaped unscathed, in an address to his supporters underlined the importance of the peace process and national unity among the Afghans.

Dostum left Afghanistan amid a criminal case against him by Ahmad Ischi, his former party-mate from his hometown in Jawzjan province.

Protests erupted in many provinces of Afghanistan demanding his return after his close aide, Nezamuddin Qaisari, commander of the local militia in Faryab province, was arrested by the government earlier this month on charges of human rights violation.

Dostum directed his supporters to allow all public offices and private businesses, that were closed down during the protests, to reopen.

On Saturday, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansoori told journalists in Kabul that Dostum had received medical treatment in Turkey and is now fit to return.

He added that judicial proceedings in his case will continue. Also, jailed Qaisari is being probed.