13 dead, 31 hurt in Kabul suicide attack

KABUL: A suicide attacker blew himself up Monday as government workers queued for an early bus home during the holy month of Ramadan, killing at least 13 people and wounding 31, officials and hospital staff said.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the Afghan capital, a day before the government’s separate ceasefire with the Taliban is due to start.

The blast happened at the main gate of the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Ministry, police and health ministry spokesmen said.

Employees were gathered at the entrance of the compound waiting for a bus to take them home when the bomber blew himself up in the crowd, said rural ministry spokesman Faridoon Azhand, who was inside the building at the time.

“I was in my office when I heard a big blast,” said another employee.

“Most of my colleagues were leaving for the day to go home. I am worried about my colleagues. We are told to stay inside for now.”

Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai confirmed the attacker had targeted the employees as they waited for the bus at around 1pm. They were leaving early because of the holy month of Ramadan, when most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

The IS claimed responsibility for the attack via their Amaq propaganda agency. A doctor at a hospital treating many of the victims confirmed the death toll.

The attack was just one of several around Afghanistan on Monday. Militants raided a government building in the eastern city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, prompting terrified employees to jump out of the windows, officials said.

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the Education Department, triggering a fierce battle between gunmen and Afghan security forces, said Nangarhar provincial governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani.

At least 10 people were wounded, said city health department director Najibullah Kamawal.

In another incident an explosion inside a house in Kabul killed one person and wounded three others, Mr Stanikzai said. The three wounded were detained after police found explosives, including suicide vests, in the building which they suspect was being used by militants planning attacks in the city.

Taliban and IS militants have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in recent years, making it lethal for civilians.