Eight die, 20 hurt in Kabul blast

KABUL: A bomb blast in a busy shopping street in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Saturday killed at least eight people and injured 22, hospital officials and witnesses said, reported a British wire service.

Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, the group said on its Telegram channel. A senior medical officer at a private hospital said at least eight people died and 22 were wounded.

An Interior Ministry spokesman said an investigation team was at the blast site to help the wounded and assess casualties. Video footage posted online showed ambulances rushing to the scene, which is also near bus stations.

The attack came ahead of Ashura, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein (AS).

Islamic State does not control any territory in Afghanistan but it has sleeper cells that have been attacking religious minorities in the country as well as patrols by the ruling Taliban.

Sayed Kazum Hojat said the Taliban government had ramped up security ahead of Ashura but should improve vigilance.