Afghan provincial governor says he narrowly escaped a bombing targeting his convoy

KABUL, Afghanistan – A provincial Afghan governor says he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by a bomber who set off explosives when police approached his vehicle. The blast killed a woman and child.

Gov. Mehrabuddin Safi of Afghanistan's northern Kapisa province says the bomber was in a car waiting for his convoy Friday when police noticed that the woman a child were in the vehicle along with some men.

Police said the bomber offered them a ride to try to disguise his intentions. When police approached, he detonated his explosive device, Safi said. The woman and child were killed. The bomber was seriously injured, along with three gunmen in the vehicle, he said. There were no other casualties.

Taliban insurgents routinely target Afghan government and security officials.