IS suicide bomber kills 26 in Kabul

A suicide bomber yesterday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian New Year holiday, AFP reports from Kabul quoting officials.

There were distressing scenes at the hospital opposite the blast site where grief-stricken relatives screamed as they clutched and hugged the bloodied bodies of their loved ones, on what is normally a day of celebration for Afghan families.

The Islamic State group's local franchise in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for the assault in the heavily Shiite neighbourhood -- the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks -- via the messaging app Telegram.

Another 18 people were wounded in the blast

interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, "all of them civilians".

There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks.

The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and the hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. The blast could be heard several kilometres away.

Witnesses told police the bomb had been hidden inside a drum carried by the attacker, which detonated as onlookers got closer, Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid told AFP.

The blast occurred less than 200 metres from the Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday but is considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists.

The bomber had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for Nawrooz, so he "detonated himself among teenagers returning from there", Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News.

Bloodstains could be seen among scattered shoes and other belongings at the site of the attack.

Outside the hospital morgue, a visibly distressed man knelt  next to several bodies, cursing the Afghan government, before he was pulled away by a relative and a medical worker.

IS suicide bomber kills 26 in Kabul

A suicide bomber yesterday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian New Year holiday, AFP reports from Kabul quoting officials. There were distressing scenes at the hospital opposite the blast site where grief-stricken relatives screamed as they clutched and hugged the bloodied bodies of their loved ones, on what is normally a day of celebration for Afghan families. The Islamic State groups local franchise in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for the assault in the heavily Shiite neighbourhood -- the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks -- via the messaging app Telegram. Another 18 people were wounded in the blast interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, all of them civilians. There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks. The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and the hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. The blast could be heard several kilometres away. Witnesses told police the bomb had been hidden inside a drum carried by the attacker, which detonated as onlookers got closer, Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid told AFP. The blast occurred less than 200 metres from the Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday but is considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists. The bomber had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for Nawrooz, so he detonated himself among teenagers returning from there, Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News. Bloodstains could be seen among scattered shoes and other belongings at the site of the attack. Outside the hospital morgue, a visibly distressed man knelt next to several bodies, cursing the Afghan government, before he was pulled away by a relative and a medical worker.