Afghan residents inspecting the site of a suicide bombing outside a voter registration centre in Kabul on Sunday — AFP KABUL, Apr 22 (Reuters): A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration center in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, killing at least 57 people and injuring more than 100, in the most serious attack yet on preparations for elections scheduled for October.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on a project of key importance to the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has been under international pressure to ensure long-delayed parliamentary polls take place this year.
Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the center where officials were issuing identity cards as part of the registration process for around 10 million voters across Afghanistan. Registration began this month.
President Ghani issued a statement condemning the attack and said it "cannot divert us from our aims or weaken this national democratic process".
A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 57 people were confirmed dead and 119 wounded, but the total could still rise.
The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the blood-stained street.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
