News / Afghanistan

Scores killed, injured in attack on market in eastern Afghanistan: UN

Monday, 20 June 2022 5:14 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 20 June 2022 5:14 PM ]

Smoke rises following a bomb explosion in November 2021 in Kabul. (Photo by AP)

The UN mission in Afghanistan says scores of people have been killed and wounded in a powerful bomb explosion at a busy market in the country’s troubled east.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Monday that the deadly attack took place in Nangarhar province.

"UNAMA condemns this morning's attack in a crowded bazaar in Nangarhar province which killed and wounded scores of civilians, among them some children," the UNAMA said on its Twitter account. "Continuing attacks targeting civilians across Afghanistan must cease immediately," it added.

Taliban officials, however, said they could only confirm that 10 people had been wounded in the attack.

"We confirm 10 injuries, we are not confirming deaths," Quriashi Badloun, the Taliban administration's head of media and information for Nangarhar said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the Monday attack, which came amid a political and security crisis in the country. The blast was the latest in a series of deadly attacks that have hit Afghanistan in recent months.

Since taking power in August, the Taliban say they have increased security across Afghanistan.

Dozens killed as blast hits Shia mosque in northern Afghanistan

A bombing at a mosque in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif has killed at least 30 Shia worshipers.

But dozens of civilians have been killed in Kabul and other cities in a series of attacks over the past few months, with some attacks being claimed by the Daesh terrorist group. Many of those attacks targeted the Hazara Shia Muslim community.

Deadly blasts hit Sikh temple in Afghan capital a day after attack on mosque

Three explosions have hit a busy road in the Afghan capital city of Kabul, leaving at least one dead and three others injured.

Daesh has a foothold in eastern and northern Afghanistan, particularly in Nangarhar province, which is regarded as the terror group's base in the war-torn country. It has recently claimed responsibility for several attacks across Afghanistan.

Since seizing power, the Taliban have regularly raided suspected Daesh hideouts in the province. Taliban officials insist their forces have defeated Daesh, but observers say the terrorist group is a key security challenge.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk