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Afghans Bury Lawmakers Killed in Country's Deadliest Suicide Attack


Afghanistan has held official funerals for lawmakers killed in the nation's deadliest suicide bombing since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

The funerals were held Thursday in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, for five of the six members of parliament killed in Tuesday's attack. A sixth lawmaker was to be buried in his home province.

Security was tight as hundreds gathered to watch the flag-draped coffins lowered into the ground. After the burial, some mourners waved banners demanding an investigation into those responsible for the deadly blast.

At least 68 people were killed in the suicide bombing in northern Baghlan. Most of the victims were school children who had lined up to greet the visiting legislators outside a sugar factory.

Among those buried Wednesday in Kabul was Mustafa Kazimi, a well-known member of parliament and former commerce minister.

Other victims of the attack were buried Wednesday.

Afghan officials confirm reports of gunfire after Tuesday's blast, but say they are unsure as to whether anyone was shot in the aftermath of the bombing.

A Taliban spokesman has denied responsibility for the attack, which occurred in Afghanistan's relatively peaceful north.

Separately, police officials say Taliban militants fired rockets at a convoy today, killing seven police officers in the southern Afghan province of Zabul.

And Afghan and U.S.-led coalition troops say they killed several suspected Taliban militants and captured 17 others Wednesday in separate operations in the Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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