Suicide bombing at dogfight in Afghanistan kills up to 80

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- A suicide bomber penetrated a crowd watching a dogfighting competition in the Taliban's former stronghold Sunday, killing up to 80 people in one of the bloodiest bombings since the regime's 2001 ouster.

The attack follows a year of record violence and predictions that the Afghan conflict could turn even deadlier this year.

Several hundred people, including Afghan militia leaders, had gathered in a barren dirt field to watch the event on the western edge of the southern city of Kandahar. Witnesses reported gunfire from bodyguards after the blast, but it was not immediately clear if the bullets killed or wounded anyone.

A prominent militia commander who stood up against the Taliban was killed in the attack and officials said he may have been the target. The bombing crumpled several Afghan police trucks and turned the field a bloody red.

Death tolls fluctuated. Kandahar Gov. Asadullah Khalid said 80 people died, while the Health Ministry said 70 were killed and 70 wounded. The Interior Ministry first said 80 died and then revised the toll to 65.

The previous deadliest bombing in Afghanistan killed about 70 people -- mostly students -- in November, part of a record year of violence in 2007 that included more than 140 suicide attacks.

Khalid blamed the attack on "the enemy of Afghanistan" -- which typically means the Taliban.

However, a Taliban spokesman denied the militia was behind the attack. "That is not our work and I will not take responsibility for it," said Qari Yousef Ahmadi.

Unlike in the U.S., where star Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting operation, dog fights are a popular form of entertainment in Afghanistan and the fights can attract hundreds of spectators who cram into a tight circle.

Afghans place discreet wagers on the dogs, the reason the Taliban banned the sport during its 1996-2001 rule.

Fighting dogs in Afghanistan -- German shepherds, bully kuttas and Afghan mastiffs -- have clipped ears and tails and carry the scars of battle. The dogs do not fight to the death but rather until one dog pins another or one runs away.