9 die in deadly Kabul blast
KABUL: A suicide bomb attack in the Afghan capital yesterday near a gathering of supporters of an influential regional leader killed at least nine people and wounded many others, the interior ministry said.
It was not clear if Atta Mohammad Noor, governor of the northern province of Balkh and a leader of the mainly ethnic Tajik Jamiat-i-Islami party, was at the meeting at the time of the attack.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility, according to Amaq, its official news agency. The Taliban has denied involvement.
“We are proud to be martyred because of our country and our rights. This gathering was for the sake of our country to raise our voice,” said witness Jan Mohammad.
The blast was the latest in a wave of violence that has killed and wounded thousands of civilians in Afghanistan this year. Political tensions have risen as politicians have begun jockeying for positions ahead of presidential elections expected in 2019.
A spokesperson for the interior ministry said the bomber approached the hotel hosting the gathering in the Khair Khana district of Kabul on foot.
The dead included seven police officers and two civilians. Media showed photographs, apparently from witnesses, which appeared to show about a dozen bodies. Reporters were unable to verify the photos. The northern-based Jamiat-i-Islami was for years the main opponent of the Taliban, who draw their support largely from the southern-based ethnic Pashtun community. In June, a suicide bomber attacked a meeting of Jamiat-i-Islami leaders, including chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.
Abdullah, who is backed by Noor, and other ethnic minority leaders formed a coalition government with President Ashraf Ghani. Ghani this week sacked the Independent Election Commission head, raising doubts over whether parliamentary and council ballots will take place next year.