(Xinhua) -- Pro-government militia commander Abdul Halim Jan, who is fighting Taliban insurgents in south Afghanistan, is among those killed in the suicide blast in Taliban birthplace Kandahar on Sunday, Kandahar governor Assadullah Khalid said. "Abdul Hakim Jan also died in the suicide bombing carried out by Taliban," Khalid, told media. The deadliest bomb attack since the collapse of Taliban regime six years ago has killed at least 80 people and injured dozens of others so far, he said. The attack occurred when hundreds of people had gathered to watch dog fighting at a ground in Kandahar city.
Hakim Jan, who was leading a 400-strong pro-government militia in the restive southern province, was owner of one of the two dog-fighting competitions at the ground, according to local residents. Local residents said Hakim Jan was the target of the attack, but the Taliban insurgents have not made any comment on the killing the commander. Taliban insurgents during their six-year reign in 1996-2001 banned dog fighting along with other entertainment activities.