Suicide bomber kills 13 at Afghanistan election rally

◗ The attack, the first since campaigning began last week ahead of the elections for the Lower House of Parliament, underscored the widespread violence gripping the country

Kabul, Oct. 2: A suicide bomber struck an election rally in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 30, a provincial official said.

The attack, the first since campaigning began last week ahead of the elections for the Lower house of Parliament, underscored the widespread violence gripping the country 17 years after the US- led invasion toppled the Taliban.

The vote is scheduled for October 20 but it’s unclear if the balloting will go ahead in areas controlled by the Taliban.

Tuesday’s attack took place in Nangarhar’s district of Kama as supporters of Abdul Naser Mohmand gathered in the afternoon to back his campaign as an independent candidate in the elections.

According to Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, some of the wounded were in critical condition, which added to concerns the death toll could rise further.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

— AFP Palestinian men walk in front a mural painted on a wall of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ( UNRWA) in Gaza City on Tuesday. It was closed in protest against job cuts announced by the UNRWA.