KANDAHAR: Rescue workers today sifted through the rubble of the deadliest bombing in Afghanistan for a year as signs of poor election turnout pointed to the success of Taliban intimidation.

With the Taliban-led insurgency at record levels, the Islamist rebels were blamed for setting

off a truck bomb in the heart of southern city Kandahar, killing up to 43 people and injuring 65, almost all civilians.

The force of the explosion shattered windows and brought down buildings, trapping people under the rubble as they were breaking their Ramadan fast. The bomb blew up near a Japanese construction company, a guest house used by foreigners and government offices. Kandahar is the province of President Hamid Karzai, who is narrowly leading the race for re-election after polls last week.