Blast near university kills 8 people in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, July 19 (KUNA) -- At least eight people were killed and over 33 others wounded when a powerful bomb exploded outside the gate of Kabul University in Afghan capital city Kabul on Friday, said officials.
Kabul police spokesman, Ferdous Faramarz, in a statement to media said that the blast that happened with a remotely detonated bomb took place near southern entrance of the university, also setting ablaze two vehicles.
A number of students were waiting outside the university to take their exams when the blast occurred.
Afghan Health Ministry spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar, confirmed that eight people were killed and 33 others wounded in the Friday's explosion. Several of the wounded were in critical condition, he added.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast and Taliban rebels have denied any involvement in the attack.
The blast comes a day after an attack by Taliban rebels on a police headquarters in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province that killed at least 12 people and wounded over 80 others.
A new wave of violence in Afghanistan has followed the seventh round of Taliban-US talks in Qatar's capital city, Doha, that concluded with issuance of a joint statement approving a "roadmap for peace" to try to end the 18-year war in the country. (end) sbk.rk