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Afghan attack targets Indian mission | Afghan attack targets Indian mission |
(35 minutes later) | |
Suicide bombers have targeted the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing at least eight civilians. | Suicide bombers have targeted the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing at least eight civilians. |
Three bombers drove up in a car before detonating their explosives, police said. | Three bombers drove up in a car before detonating their explosives, police said. |
Gunfire was heard for an hour after the blast which took place at 10:00 local time (06:30 GMT). | Gunfire was heard for an hour after the blast which took place at 10:00 local time (06:30 GMT). |
Most of the victims were from a nearby mosque. Indian officials say none of their citizens were hurt. | Most of the victims were from a nearby mosque. Indian officials say none of their citizens were hurt. |
At least 22 people were injured in the Jalalabad attack, according to the police, and many of the casualties were children. | At least 22 people were injured in the Jalalabad attack, according to the police, and many of the casualties were children. |
Deputy police chief of Nangarhar province Masum Khan Hashimi said the blast, close to a mosque, had been a failed attempt to attack the Indian consulate. | Deputy police chief of Nangarhar province Masum Khan Hashimi said the blast, close to a mosque, had been a failed attempt to attack the Indian consulate. |
He said two of the attackers wearing vests laden with explosives got out of the car and were immediately fired upon by police. | He said two of the attackers wearing vests laden with explosives got out of the car and were immediately fired upon by police. |
The remaining occupant of the car then blew it up, he told Reuters news agency. | The remaining occupant of the car then blew it up, he told Reuters news agency. |
The explosion also caused heavy damage to local shops. | The explosion also caused heavy damage to local shops. |
It is not clear who was behind the attack. Jalalabad has frequently been the target of militant attacks, including a bomb blast at the airport last year. | |
In May, offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross were hit, killing an Afghan guard, and in March several police died in a suicide attack on a police station in the city. | |
However, a Taliban spokesman denied responsibility for Saturday's attack. | However, a Taliban spokesman denied responsibility for Saturday's attack. |
"Our fighters have not carried out any attack in Jalalabad," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP news agency. | |
Indian buildings in Afghanistan have been targeted before. | Indian buildings in Afghanistan have been targeted before. |
In 2008 and 2009, the Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked twice with dozens of people killed. | In 2008 and 2009, the Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked twice with dozens of people killed. |
The attack came after officials on Friday reported fierce fighting between security forces and militants in the Shirzad district of Nangarhar province. | The attack came after officials on Friday reported fierce fighting between security forces and militants in the Shirzad district of Nangarhar province. |
They said 76 Taliban members and 22 police were killed in a series of clashes. | They said 76 Taliban members and 22 police were killed in a series of clashes. |
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