At least six civilians were killed and a number of others were hurt in a suicide explosion in Kabul, according to Afghan authorities on Monday.
The suicide bomber was killed in front of a security checkpoint in police district two of Kabul, according to a statement from police spokesman Khalid Zadran.
As a result, up to six civilians were killed and a number of others, including three members of the security forces, were injured, according to the official, who did not specify how many were injured.
According to the Italian non-governmental organisation Hospital Emergency, 12 injured patients, including a child, were brought to the hospital after the blast, and two others were already dead when they arrived.
The blast occurred at midday in the city centre during Kabul’s rush hour, as government employees were ending their working day early due to Ramadan.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
When the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the so-called Islamic State group intensified its attacks in Afghanistan.
It’s mainly targeting religious minorities, members of the Taliban and areas where foreign diplomats live.
In mid-January, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an explosion outside the Afghan Foreign Ministry that killed and wounded dozens of people including ministry employees.
Afghanistan has become increasingly isolated from the West due to the Taliban’s draconian policies towards women, their disregard for human rights and their refusal to form a representative government. (dpa/NAN)