55 dead after 2 suicide blasts in Afghan city

AT least 19 people are dead after a suicide bomber struck in Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad yesterday.

It was the second attack in as many days targeting Taliban fighters, security forces and civilians celebrating a holiday ceasefire.

Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, said another 60 people were wounded in the attack, which struck a crowd of people as they left the governor’s compound.

Saturday’s attack, which also took place in Jalalabad, killed at least 36 people and wounded 65, according to Najibullah Kamawal, director of the provincial health department.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they appear to be the work of Islamic State, which is not included in the ceasefire and has clashed with the Taliban in the past.

The local Isis affiliate has a strong presence in the province.