Afghan defence minister escapes assassination bid

KABUL - Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak escaped an assassination attempt on Saturday when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle shortly after he had left the airport by helicopter, the Defence Ministry said.

No one was hurt and the four gunmen -- who were wearing military uniforms -- were arrested, said ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi, describing the attack as a bungled attempt to assassinate the minister.

"The minister is safe. He had already left the airport by helicopter when the attack happened," he said.

The attack came days before parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled for Sept. 18, the next big step in Afghanistan's difficult path to stability.

- REUTERS