15 killed as blast rocks Afghan city (Lead)

Jalalabad, July 1 (IANS) Up to 15 people were killed and 20 injured as a motor bomb rocked Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province on Sunday, provincial government spokesman Attaullah Khogiani said.
The blast hit the busy market of Mukhabirat square, killing 15 people, mostly civilians, Xinhua news agency reported.
All the victims have been taken to the hospital, the official added. No group has claimed responsibility so far.
The blast rocked Jalalabad while Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf was there to hold a meeting with provincial officials, elders and chieftains.
They were discussing ways and means to bolster the government-initiated peace process to encourage the Taliban to initiate a dialogue with the government to end the country’s lingering crisis.
–IANS<br>him/bg
Source: IANS