A+ A-

Suicide attack kills 18, injures 45 people in E. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, June 17 (KUNA) -- At least 18 people were killed and 45 others injured in a blast in front of Governor House in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Sunday, said officials.
Provincial governor's spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani confirmed that the suicide blast took place in front of Governor House compound in PD1 area of Jalalabad city in Nangarhar.
The blast came after a gather marking the Government-Taliban rebels' ceasefire in the Governor House that was attended by high ranking government officials and some local Taliban leaders.
The official said a suicide bomber on foot had targeted Taliban, local elders and civilians as they left the governor's compound where they had attended a special event for the Eid holiday.
Head of Nangarhar's health department, Najibullah Kamawal told media that 18 civilians were killed and 45 others wounded in the bombing.
No group including the Taliban rebels has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Earlier on Saturday, a suicide attack claimed by so-called Islamic State (IS) on a gathering of Taliban, security forces and civilians in a district of Nangarhar killed at least 36 people and wounded 65 others.
The bombing came after Taliban rebels announced a ceasefire across Afghanistan for the first three days of Eid (Islamic festival) that ended on Sunday.
The Taliban's ceasefire followed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's announcement that police and troops would cease operations against the Taliban for eight days.
After the announcement, number of Taliban rebels entered the Afghan capital and other cities to celebrate Eid and received a warm welcome by security forces and civilians. President Ghani also announced to extend the ceasefire duration but Taliban rebels refused to extend the ceasefire after the attacks. (end) sbk.mt