Dozens killed in Kabul election center suicide attack
- 6 years ago
An Islamic State suicide bomber has killed nearly 60 people outside a voter registration center in Kabul.
It's the latest in a series of attacks on the Afghan capital this year.
Ro Aram reports.
Officials in Kabul say the bomber blew himself up next to a queue outside the voter center on Sunday.
They were lining up to register for legislative elections which are due to take place in October.
At least 57 people are said to have been killed, including children, and more than a hundred others have been injured.
Officials fear the death toll could rise.
Witnesses described the blast echoing across the city, shattering windows and damaging nearby vehicles.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had targeted what it called Shiite "apostates."
The militant group has been launching a series of attacks on Kabul this year targeting the Shia Muslim minority.
Two suicide bombings claimed by IS took place just last month in which nearly 40 people were killed.
Sunday's attack also targeted a project of major importance to the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government.
He has been under international pressure to ensure long-delayed parliamentary polls take place this year.
Ghani's office issued a statement condemning the bombing, adding such "terrorist attacks" won't prevent people from participating in October's parliamentary elections.
There has been increasing frustration at what many Kabul residents see as the government's shortcomings in securing the capital.
Voter registration, which started more than a week ago, has also been repeatedly disrupted by technical and organizational problems.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
It's the latest in a series of attacks on the Afghan capital this year.
Ro Aram reports.
Officials in Kabul say the bomber blew himself up next to a queue outside the voter center on Sunday.
They were lining up to register for legislative elections which are due to take place in October.
At least 57 people are said to have been killed, including children, and more than a hundred others have been injured.
Officials fear the death toll could rise.
Witnesses described the blast echoing across the city, shattering windows and damaging nearby vehicles.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had targeted what it called Shiite "apostates."
The militant group has been launching a series of attacks on Kabul this year targeting the Shia Muslim minority.
Two suicide bombings claimed by IS took place just last month in which nearly 40 people were killed.
Sunday's attack also targeted a project of major importance to the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government.
He has been under international pressure to ensure long-delayed parliamentary polls take place this year.
Ghani's office issued a statement condemning the bombing, adding such "terrorist attacks" won't prevent people from participating in October's parliamentary elections.
There has been increasing frustration at what many Kabul residents see as the government's shortcomings in securing the capital.
Voter registration, which started more than a week ago, has also been repeatedly disrupted by technical and organizational problems.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.