A group of security officers in Kabul were targeted by a suicide bomber, killing 13 policemen and injuring 18 others, including two civilians. The attack targeted an anti-drug raid close to the US Embassy.
“A suicide bomber detonated himself among the crowd, killing and injuring dozens,” AFP quoted Kabul police spokesman, Abdul Basir Mujahid, as saying. 13 people were killed, Police Chief Mohammad Salim Ehsas confirmed at a press briefing.
The bomber emerged from a crowd of protesters and targeted police officers, according to Deputy Interior Ministry Spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The assailant was wearing civilian clothes. The blast left 18 people injured, including two civilians, he added.
Earlier, Interior Ministry Spokesman Najib Danish said at least 20 people had been “killed and wounded.” Health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said 11 dead and 25 injured had been taken to hospitals in the city.
The attack reportedly occurred in Kabul’s PD9 district, located to the northeast of the area where foreign embassies are located.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and ordered an investigation into the blast, a statement from the presidential office said.
Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, according to the terrorist group’s mouthpiece, Amaq. IS did not provide any proof to back up its claim.
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It’s the second major blast in the Afghan capital within a week. On December 28, at least 40 people were killed and 80 wounded in a suicide bombing attack which targeted the Shiite Tebyan cultural center. IS also claimed responsibility for the December attack.