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20 killed, 170 injured in Kabul rally suicide attack – media cites Health Ministry Over 20 killed, 140+ injured in Kabul rally suicide attack – media report, citing Health Ministry
(35 minutes later)
At least one explosion has rocked a mass demonstration in the Afghan capital, Kabul, with TOLOnews TV network reporting twin blasts. Some 20 people have been killed and 170 injured in the blasts, Afghan media reported, citing the Public Health Ministry. At least 29 people have been killed and 142 injured as a huge blast rocked a mass demonstration in the Afghan capital, Kabul, health officials said, as cited by Reuters. The attack was claimed by terrorist group Islamic State.
Interior Ministry officials told Reuters that the blast was caused by a suicide bomber. TOLOnews also reported that the suicide bomber detonated explosives right among demonstrators at Saturday's rally. The number of casualties was confirmed by Mohammad Ismail Kawousi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, Reuters reports.
Officials have confirmed that at least three suicide bombers were present at the rally. The first detonated an explosives vest, the second was killed by police, while the third had a defective explosives vest. The fate of the third attacker is unknown. Officials have confirmed to TOLOnews that at least three suicide bombers were present at the rally. The first detonated an explosives vest, the second was killed by police, while the third had a defective explosives vest. The fate of the third attacker is unknown.
"The dead and wounded were taken to Istiqlal hospital near the blast scene," ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kawoosi said, as cited by AFP. Graphic photos have emerged on social media showing bodies at the presumed site of explosion.
"The dead and wounded were taken to Istiqlal hospital near the blast scene," Kawoosi said, as cited by AFP.
TOLOnews reported that the incident took place in Dehmazang Circle during a mass demonstration.TOLOnews reported that the incident took place in Dehmazang Circle during a mass demonstration.
Security officials have arrived at the scene of the blast and the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals.Security officials have arrived at the scene of the blast and the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Shortly after the attack, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the group was behind the bombing, saying it “did not have any involvement or hand in this tragic attack.”
Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that its fighters detonated explosive belts “at a gathering of Shiites,” according to IS-affiliated Amaq news agency.
However, there have been conflicting reports about the number of blasts that struck the demo. According to TOLOnews, two explosions rocked the protest. Some reports on social media suggested there might have been up to three explosions.However, there have been conflicting reports about the number of blasts that struck the demo. According to TOLOnews, two explosions rocked the protest. Some reports on social media suggested there might have been up to three explosions.
The demonstration, organized by the Enlightenment Movement, gathered to protest over the Afghan government's planned 500kV power line project.The demonstration, organized by the Enlightenment Movement, gathered to protest over the Afghan government's planned 500kV power line project.
Authorities want to run the power line to Kabul through the Salang area in northeastern Afghanistan. But protestors wanted the line diverted through the city of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan.Authorities want to run the power line to Kabul through the Salang area in northeastern Afghanistan. But protestors wanted the line diverted through the city of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan.
Graphic photos have emerged on social media showing bodies at the presumed site of explosion. Amnesty International said that the attack “on a group of peaceful protestors in Kabul demonstrates the utter disregard that armed groups have for human life.”
"Such attacks are a reminder that the conflict in Afghanistan is not winding down, as some believe, but escalating, with consequences for the human rights situation in the country that should alarm us all."
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was "deeply saddened" by the massacre.
“Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but opportunist terrorists infiltrated the crowds and carried out the attack, killing and injuring a number of citizens including some security forces,” he added.