Suicide bomber kills 13 in election rally in Afghanistan

World
Europe

00:39

At least 13 people were killed and 30 others wounded after a suicide bombing ripped through an election rally in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar on Tuesday, said local Public Health Director Najibullah Kamawal.

The incident took place at a parliamentary election candidate's house at around mid-day in Kama district east of provincial capital Jalalabad city.

Candidate Abdul Nasir Mohmand was wounded after the explosion and the assailant was also killed on the spot, according to a local official.

Sayed Humayun, who was at the location and later brought his injured cousin to the medical facility told AFP that people were inside a hall listening to candidate Mohmand speak when the bomber struck.

"For a while I could not see, but later I saw I was surrounded by bodies and people covered in blood", he said.

The electoral campaign for the October 20 Afghan parliamentary elections began on Friday across the country, which has been plagued by violence in its run-up.

Afghan commuters drive along as posters of candidate Ahamd Tamin Jurat are installed during the parliamentary election campaign, in Kabul, October 2, 2018 / VCG Photo

More than 50 people, including seven election candidates, have been killed in election-related attacks across the country this year.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Attaullah Khogyani, the provincial government spokesman said further details about the incident will be released after an ongoing investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

4055km