News / Afghanistan

Bomb attack kill 13, injures 14 in eastern Afghanistan

Sunday, 17 January 2016 6:56 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 17 January 2016 9:57 AM ]

Afghan security forces inspect the site of a bomb attack in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan, on January 17, 2016. (© Reuters)

At least 13 people have lost their lives and more than a dozen others sustained injuries when a powerful explosion struck Afghanistan’s embattled eastern province of Nangarhar.

Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said the blast took place in the provincial capital city of Jalalabad, situated 118 kilometers (73 miles) east of the capital, Kabul, at 10:20 a.m. local time (0550 GMT) on Sunday.

A bomber reportedly blew himself up as tribal elders had gathered inside the guesthouse of Obaidullah Shinwari, a member of the provincial council. The event was held to celebrate the release of Shinwari's brother, who had been held hostage by the Taliban for nine months before being released five days ago. Shinwarai was reportedly among those wounded.

Afghan firefighters spray water to clean the site of a bomb attack in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan, on January 17, 2016. (© Reuters)

Security forces immediately rushed to the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area, while medical officials transported the victims to a nearby hospital.

Khoghyani said the brother, identified as Saminullah Shinwari, was among those injured. The Afghan provincial spokesman further noted that Shinwari's father, Malek Osman who is also a tribal elder, sustained injuries in the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the act of violence so far.

Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, on his Twitter page denied that the militant group was behind the attack.

Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity more than 14 years after the United States and its allies attacked the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. Although the 2001 attack overthrew the Taliban, many areas across Afghanistan still face violence and insecurity.

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