The number of people injured in the heavy explosion that took place in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Monday morning has reached 68, Health Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar stated.
“Sixty-eight people, including eight children, have been injured in the blast in Kabul”, he said.
A car bomb targeted the area of Puli Mahmood Khan, not far from a logistic supply compound belonging to the Afghan Defence Ministry. Several diplomatic and security departments are located in the area. The blast took place only a mile away from the presidential palace. According to eyewitnesses, the blast was followed by sporadic gunfire and other explosions.
Interior Ministry spokesman Nusrat Rahimi said there were two attackers, and that they had targeted the Defence Ministry’s facilities.
At least three journalists from Shamshad TV were reportedly injured in the blast. Officials from the Afghanistan Football Federation also said that a number of their staff members and players received injuries, adding that their compound had been damaged.
No militant group has yet claimed responsibility. Both the Taliban and the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group are active in Kabul.
The Taliban militant organization, which frequently carries out attacks, is currently holding peace talks with US officials in Doha.
In the previous round of US-Taliban peace talks earlier this year, the two sides “agreed in draft” on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in return for a Taliban guarantee that its elements would not attack US forces.
The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan under the pretext of the global war on terror. Some 18 years on, the Taliban have only boosted their presence across the country, and Washington is seeking truce with the militants.
Source: Agenceis
