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Explosion rocks Afghan convoy

Interim Defense Minister Mohammad Qassim Fahim

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (CNN) -- At least four people were killed and 20 others injured when a bomb exploded near a convoy carrying Afghanistan's interim defense minister, in an apparent assassination attempt.

"It is not only to kill me, they just wanted to disrupt and send a message," Defense Minister Mohammad Qassim Fahim said after the Monday attack.

Citing security reasons, Fahim later cut short his visit to Jalalabad short and flew back to Kabul. Fahim had planned to spend the night in Jalalabad.

Local Pashtuns lined the streets of the eastern city of Jalalabad, waving Afghan flags, as Fahim's convoy traveled from Jalalabad's airport into the city.

But as the convoy approached an intersection, a loud explosion went off near the third car in the convoy, sending up a black plume of smoke. Fahim was in the fourth vehicle, flanked by his bodyguards.

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Eyewitnesses said the bomb was hidden in a road-side generator outside an adjacent restaurant and sent up a huge fireball as it exploded.

Nearly all of the casualties were bystanders. At least four badly burned people covered in blood were taken in a truck to a hospital.

Afghan unity

The motorcade of vehicles was en route to Jalalabad on a scheduled visit to promote Afghan unity. One goal: persuading various warlords to incorporate their men into a national Afghan army.

After the explosion, the motorcade immediately headed to the governor's palace in Jalalabad, where Fahim continued his meetings as scheduled, before leaving for Kabul.

Local officials said the owners of the restaurant and other shops adjacent to where the bomb exploded were detained and questioned.

Jalalabad's governor Haji Khadir vowed to track down who was responsible for the attack.

"This was the work of criminals," he said. "In a few days, we will find them."