Twin bombings near Afghanistan's Defense Ministry kill 24

Published September 05, 2016

Twin bombings near the Afghan Defense Ministry have killed at least 24 people in an attack claimed by the Taliban.

Public Health Ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi says another 91 people were wounded in Monday's attack. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said a district police chief and five other police officers were among those killed.

Deputy Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the second bombing was caused by a suicide attacker who struck the area of the first blast after security forces gathered there. He said civilians, police and soldiers were among those killed in the attack, which came as ministry employees were leaving their offices for the day.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying "the enemies of Afghanistan have lost their ability to fight the Security and Defense Forces of the country and thus attack highways, cities, mosques, schools and common people."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group had carried out the attack. The insurgents have been fighting to overthrow the U.S.-backed government for 15 years, and frequently target Afghan security forces.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/twin-bombings-near-afghanistans-defense-ministry-kill-24