Relatives and friends inspect shoes and other belongings of those who were killed in the twin suicide attack, gathered on the ground at a mosque in Kabul on July 24, 2016 Islamic State jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions on July 23 that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 80 people and wounding 231 others in the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since 2001.
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An explosion believed to be caused by a suicide bomber at a demonstration in Afghan capital Kabul has killed at least 10 people.
The devastating attack in the capital represents a major escalation for IS, which so far has largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where they are known for brutality including beheadings.
“Outraged by today’s attack in Kabul that killed dozens who were peacefully demonstrating”.
Footage on Afghan television and photographs posted on social media showed a scene of horror and carnage, with numerous bodies and body parts spread across the square.
The Ministry of Interior said one of the suicide bombers managed to detonate his explosives among the rally participants while one of them failed to carry out the attack and the third one was shot dead.
According to the presidential spokesman, Chakhansuri, the organizers of the march had been warned of the possibility of an attack. “We strongly condemn the actions of Afghanistan’s enemies of peace and remain firmly committed to supporting our Afghan partners and the National Unity Government”.
They also risk exacerbating ethnic tensions with other groups and provinces the government says would have to wait up to three years for power if the route were changed. It was their second demonstration; the first was in May with had a much better turnout and attended by senior Hazara politicians who were absent from Saturday’s march.
Declaring a national day of mourning, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani ordered flags in the nation to be flown at half-staff. The Taliban were quick to deny culpability for the Saturday attack, however, issuing a statement before IS claimed responsibility.
The last protest in May attracted thousands of people and shut down the central business district.
The so-called TUTAP line is backed by the Asian Development Bank with involvement of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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The Council reiterated that “no violent or terrorist acts” can reverse the Afghan-led process along the path towards peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Afghan government and by the worldwide community. The original plan routed the line through Bamiyan province, in the central highlands, where most of the country’s Hazaras live.
