At least 25 killed in Kabul twin blasts, AFP photographer among five journalists dead; IS claims responsibility

At least 25 people were killed and over 45 wounded in twin explosions that rocked Afghanistan capital, Kabul, on Monday morning. The first explosion was followed by another in which, Shah Marai, a photographer with news agency AFP along with a cameraman of local news channel Tolo TV station died were among the five journalists who died in the targeted attack, local authorities were quoted as saying by news agency Associated Press. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in the capital. Hashmat Stanekzai, a spokesperson for the Kabul Police chief, said that the first bomber was on a motorbike and the second suicide bomber was on foot. The second attacker was among reporters who had gathered at the scene to cover the attack, added Stanekzai. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has strongly condemned the attacks in Kabul. A statement released form the presidential palace said that attacks targeting innocent civilians, worshippers inside the mosques, national and democratic processes, reporters and freedom of speech all are war crimes. The central area of the capital city which was targeted in the blast houses foreign offices. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is yet to issue any statement on the blast. There has been intense fighting in several parts of the country with the Taliban, which is likely to target the upcoming parliamentary elections in the war-torn country. The explosion comes just a week after a blast killed 60 people at a voter registration centre in the western part of the city. Jawed Ghulam Sakhi, a 28-year-old a taxi driver said, “When the explosion happened, everywhere was covered with dust and fire, it was a horrific scene with bodies and body parts thrown about on the street and the pavement.” He added, “I saw journalists covered with blood, this time they had targeted the media.” Masouda, a young woman who was with her husband nearby, assailed the authorities. Her husband was wounded and was taken to Wazir Akbar Khan hospital. “I don’t know who is responsible for all these attacks, every day we lose our loved ones and no one in this government is taking responsibility for the killing of these innocent people,” she said. Source: The Indian Express