Afghan minister wounded in Kandahar suicide raid

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 17 (Reuters) Afghanistan's information minister was wounded today when a suicide bomber targeted a car in which he was travelling in the southern city of Kandahar, the governor of the province said.

The bomber rammed a car full of explosives into the vehicle in Kandahar city. Three civilians were killed in the attack.

Minister Karim Khurram suffered facial wounds and was being treated in hospital, governor Assadullah Khalid, who was also in the car but escaped unhurt, told reporters.

''I am fine, but the information minister is wounded,'' Khalid said.

The attack is part of the latest violence by suspected Taliban militants in recent months following the traditional winter lull.

Security forces cordoned off the site of the attack.

Reuters PB DB2248