At least 57 killed in Kabul suicide bombing

Islamabad (People’s Daily) - The death toll from a suicide bombing attack at a voter registration center in Kabul on Sunday morning has risen to 57, according to Afghanistan’s Public Health Ministry.

Local people wait to see their family members outside a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 22, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

A police spokesperson said a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in proximity to people waiting in line to register to vote, the Pajhwok News Agency reported.

At least 112 innocent bystanders sustained injuries related to the attack, said Wahidullah Majroh, spokesperson for the Public Health Ministry.

The extremist group Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier this month, Afghan election officials set October 20 as the date for legislative and district council elections, which have already been delayed by three years. Since voter registration began last week, attacks focused on the country’s election efforts have occurred.

Two hours after the Kabul bombing, an explosion was reported close to another voter registration center in Baghlan Province, killing at least six people and injuring five others.

Local media reported that a total of five attacks targeting the election facilities have been carried out in less than a week.