Suicide Bomber Kills Afghan Official

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber blew himself up yesterday in a mosque in southern Afghanistan, killing a deputy provincial governor and five other people in another blow to President Karzai's American-backed government.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came as American officials were warning that the six-year mission to stabilize Afghanistan faces a crisis due to Taliban resilience and weakening international resolve. Pir Mohammad, deputy governor of Helmand province, was attending noon prayers at the mosque in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah when the bomber struck, according to police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal.

At least 18 people, including two children, were wounded by the blast, Mr. Andiwal said.

The Taliban launched more than 140 suicide missions last year — the most since they were ousted from power in late 2001 by the American-led invasion.