At least two killed in blast near election office in eastern Afghanistan
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 26 August 2018 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, At least two killed in blast near election office in eastern Afghanistan, 26 August 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc05305a.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 26, 2018 06:24 GMT
At least two people have been killed and four wounded in an explosion near the office of Afghanistan's election commission in the eastern city of Jalalabad, where dozens of protesters had gathered, officials said.
The AFP news agency reported that the Islamic State militant group had claimed responsibility for the August 25 attack.
The protesters had gathered in support of a parliamentary candidate who electoral officials had disqualified over his suspected links with militant groups.
Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar Province, said the wounded were brought to a hospital, with one in critical condition. He said the number of casualties was likely to rise.
Jalalabad has been the scene of multiple attacks in recent months that have killed dozens, as the Western-backed government in Kabul continues to struggle to fend off the Taliban and other militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and TOLOnews
Link to original story on RFE/RL website