JALALABAD: As Many as 33 individuals have been killed and more than 100 injured in a progression of blasts in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, as indicated by police and nearby media.
The blast took place outside a local bank, police chief Fazel Ahmad Sherzad told media.
According to initial reports, the first explosion was shortly followed by another blast. At least one suicide bomber was reportedly involved. Witnesses heard a third blast, but according to local media reports it was a controlled explosion by authorities, who detonated another suspicious device.
The first blast, allegedly caused by a suicide bomber, happened outside a bank, Sherzad told the media reporters.
“It was a suicide attack,” Sherzad reportedly said, adding that police have not yet determined if the attacker had worn the explosives or placed them in a car.
Ambulances have reportedly been carrying numerous dead and wounded from the scene, while people have been rushing to donate blood to the victims.
Local authorities, say they expect the number of casualties to grow.
However, according to Afghan Pajhwok news agency, Taliban denied they were behind the blasts.
“It was an evil act. We strongly condemn it,” the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told media reporters.
#Taliban denied involvement in #Jalalabad suicide attack and blasts in which 33 poeple killed and more than 100 wounded. #afghanistan
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) April 18, 2015
According to the recent United Nations report, civilian casualties in Afghanistan have risen dramatically over the last year. Intensification of ground battles between the military and the Taliban led to more civilians being exposed to violence, and, as a result, nearly 3,700 civilians were killed in the country in 2014, the highest in any year since 2009.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
