Afghanistan: Explosions near Political Gathering in Kabul, Injuries Reported

By Staff, Agencies

Multiple explosions hit the Afghan capital city of Kabul Thursday, with some confirmed to have been caused by rockets that landed near a large gathering of members of the Shiite Muslim Hazara minority, wounding at least three people, officials said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

"The exact area from where the rockets were launched has been identified. So far, we have reports that three people were injured," said Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesperson at the interior ministry.

Hazaras have over the years been attacked by terrorist groups such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Daesh [the Arabic acronym for terrorist ‘ISIS/ISIL’ group].

Hundreds of people including leaders of the Hazara community and some government officials, including Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, were at the gathering, a commemoration on the anniversary of a leader's death.

TOLO News, which had a camera crew reporting live from the commemoration, said that at least 10 explosions were heard.

People could be seen scattering in all directions after the blasts.

The gathering was for the anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, a Hazara leader who died in 1995 after being taken prisoner by the Taliban.

A reporter who was present at the gathering site said ambulances had rushed to the area to help.

"Many people were injured," the reporter told TOLO News.