Scores dead in Taliban-claimed suicide attack near defense ministry in Kabul

At least 24 people were killed and 91 injured in a twin suicide bombings carried out by the Taliban near the defense ministry in Kabul on Monday, Afghan officials said.

Public Health Ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi said there were civilians among the dead and that there were fears the toll could rise further.

An unnamed ministry of defense spokesperson told the BBC that an army general and two senior police officers were killed in the attacks.

Deputy Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the first blast targeted ministry employees leaving their offices, the Associated Press reports, and a second, larger blast struck in the same area after security forces rushed to the scene.

Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahed, tweeted that the group carried out the attacks.

Taliban militants, waging a bloody insurgency to topple the Western-backed Kabul government, have intensified their attacks nationwide and tightened their grip on the besieged capital of Helmand province southwest of Kunduz in recent weeks.
 [i24news.tv]
5/9/16
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