KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Latest on the violence in Afghanistan (all times local):
2 p.m.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in the Afghan capital that killed more than 30 people and wounded dozens.
The group claimed Sunday’s attack in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency, saying it had targeted Shiite “apostates.”
Afghan officials say a suicide bomber targeted a crowd of people gathered at a voter registration center in Kabul.
The extremist group is opposed to democratic elections.
___
1:15 p.m.
An Afghan official says that at least five people were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the northern Baghlan province.
Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for the provincial police chief, says four other people were wounded in Sunday’s blast in Puli Khomri, the capital of the province.
The Taliban routinely target security forces and government officials with roadside bombs, which often end up killing civilians.
___
1 p.m.
Afghan officials say the toll from a suicide bombing in Kabul that targeted a voter registration center has climbed to at least 31 killed and 54 wounded.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majro confirmed the toll from Sunday’s attack, originally placed at four dead and 15 wounded.
The Taliban denied involvement in the attack, which indicates it may have been carried out by an Islamic State affiliate.
___
12:25 p.m.
Afghan officials say the toll from a suicide bombing in Kabul has climbed to at least 12 killed and 57 wounded.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majro said the toll from Sunday’s attack, originally placed at four dead and 15 wounded, could climb further.
The suicide bomber targeted a crowd that had gathered to pick up national identification cards at a voter registration center in the capital.
The Taliban denied involvement in the attack, which indicates it may have been carried out by an Islamic State affiliate.
___
11 a.m.
Afghan officials say a suicide bomber has attacked a voter registration center in the capital, killing at least four people.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majro says another 15 people were wounded in Sunday’s attack. Kabul police spokesman Akmal Ahmadzai confirmed the location of the attack.
No one immediately claimed responsibility. The Taliban and a local Islamic State affiliate both view Afghanistan’s government and democratic elections as illegitimate.
Afghanistan will hold parliamentary elections in October.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.