A suicide bomber disguised in a woman's burqa has exploded in a crowded bazaar in western Afghanistan, killing 18 police and civilians.Another 22 people were wounded by the blast, which happened near a police station in the Del Aram district of Farah province as police were inspecting vehicles on the road.
Provincial governor Rohul Amin says the bomber was wearing an all-enveloping burqa robe commonly worn by Afghan women. President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, saying it was obscene for a bomber to use such a disguise. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack.