33 KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN BOMB BLAST OUTSIDE BANK

Kabul, 30 Jumadil Akhir 1436/19 April 2015 (MINA) – At least 33 people, including children and military personnel, have been killed and over 100 others injured Saturday following a suspected suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

The suspected suicide bomber struck in front of the Kabul Bank branch where many soldiers and civilians had been waiting in line to withdraw their money, an Aghan official said.

Provincial health department spokesman Enaamullah Miakhel confirmed the death toll, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Previously, local officials had said that the bomb was placed inside a motorbike in the area.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied responsibility for the attack.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act. “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Jalalabad city,” said Ghani in a statement.

“They cannot (take a) stand against our national security forces, so they conduct this kind of cowardly attack to create fear among Afghans,” the statement added.

In another development, the Afghan intelligence department arrested a suspected suicide bomber, allegedly strapped with an explosive jacket, in eastern Ghazni province Saturday. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)