The first in Afghanistan by ISIS

29.05.2020 01:23

This is the moment a young boy covered in blood was dragged from the scene of a devastating suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.

He was near a bank in Jalalabad early Saturday morning when the attacker detonated an explosive-laden motorcycle, killing 35 people and injuring another 125.

The group, which included military personnel as well as civilians, were waiting to receive their monthly salaries as crowds bustled around them when the bomb exploded in the busy commercial district.

Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the attack, President Ghani said.

Speaking from Badakhshan he said: 'Who claimed responsibility for horrific attack in Nangarhar today?

'The Taliban did not claim responsibility for the attack, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.' Daesh is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic extremist group.

An online posting by a person purporting to be an Islamic State spokesman could not be immediately verified. It is not clear whether Ghani relied on this for his remarks or if he had other intelligence at his disposal.

'We condemn/deny involvement in both,' Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted.

Pictures taken moments after the explosion show shoes, belongings and commercial goods scattered over the road and pavement amid broken glass and blood.

Men and children were captured bandaging themselves on the street while attempting to get hold of family and friends.

The force of the blast damaged businesses and cars, as well as causing windows to break several miles away. Security forces blocked off the area to allow ambulances and rescue crews to care for the wounded.

Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said: 'There are reports of many wounded people in critical condition at the hospital.'

(dailymail.co.uk)