Toll rises to 58 in three Afghan attacks as UAE says 5 diplomats killed
NAN-F-12
Attacks
Kabul, Jan. 11, 2017 (dpa/NAN) The United Arab Emirates confirmed on Wednesday that five of its diplomats were killed from the three attacks in Afghanistan death, as the toll climbed to 58 in southern Kandahar province.
Qamaruddin Sediqi, the Health Ministry Spokesman, said in Kabul that not less than 116 people were wounded in Tuesday’s attacks.
He said that the largest casualty count came from the bombing outside parliament in Kabul with 10 people in intensive care.
“Two Taliban suicide bombers targeted the parliament’s gate while staffers and parliamentarians were getting ready to go home.
The ministry spokesman noted that the suicide bombing was followed by two explosions inside the governor’s home in southern Kandahar province late Tuesday, killing 11 people including five members of a UAE delegation.
Another report added that at the time of the bombing, UAE Ambassador Juma Al’ Kaabi was visiting Kandahar Governor Humayun Azizi.
Mohammad Yonusi, a member of the provincial council, said a lawmaker from northern Jawzjan, the deputy governor of Kandahar, and an Afghan diplomat stationed in Washington who was home on vacation died in the blasts.
He said Governor Azizi and UAE Ambassador Al Kaabi were among 10 to 16 others wounded.
Sayed Khakrezwal, the Head of Kandahar’s Provincial Council, said the explosives were placed inside couches.
He said another suicide bombing in southern Helmand province earlier in the day killed seven people and wounded three to six others.
Meanwhile, Taliban Spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
He said the suicide bomber targeted a meeting of members of the Afghan spy agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and military commanders.
He, however, denied the group’s involvement in the Kandahar blasts. (dpa/NAN)
(Edited by Hawa Lawal/Julius Enehikhuere)