The Kurdish minister responsible for the Bishmarka security forces survived a bomb blast in Kirkuk province Thursday that killed a fighter, a senior officer said, as terrorists press an offensive.

The Kurdish minister responsible for the Bishmarka security forces survived a bomb blast in Kirkuk province Thursday that killed a fighter, a senior officer said, as terrorists press an offensive.

Jaafar Mustafa was returning from visiting Kurdish units that have taken control of Kirkuk city and other areas of the province when a roadside bomb exploded, killing a Bishmarka fighter, Brigadier General Shirko Rauf said.