ISIS strikes in Afghanistan with twin bomb blasts; kills 20 innocents including two journalists

Kabul, September 6: At least 20 innocents including two journalists were killed and 70 others were injured in twin bomb blasts that took place in different parts of Afghan capital Kabul. ISIS responsibility claimed the responsibility of the coward act.

 

Notably, the first attack took place around 6 p.m. local time when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in the Maiwand Wrestling Club with the second blast targeting media and emergency services at the scene of the initial explosion. The attack mainly targeted Shia Muslims in Afghan capital Kabul.

Afghan authorities rushed the spot and transported the all injured to nearby hospitals. However, hospital authorities said that the fatalities can be increased as many are in critically injured. Meanwhile, Tolo News in a statement said that two of its journalists Samim Faramarz and Ramiz Ahmadi died when the second explosion took place.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombings. "An attack on civilians and media workers of the country is an attack on freedom of speech and crime against humanity," he said in a statement. On the other side, Steven Butler, CPJ's Asia program coordinator in a statement said, "Afghan journalists have shown incredible bravery covering the news while being repeatedly targeted by a cynical enemy."

The attack comes nearly half a month after, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani declared has a provisional three-month ceasefire with the Taliban to mark the Eid al-Adha festival peacefully.

Importantly, this year at least 12 journalists have died in the violence. Another 10 journalists were killed in two attacks on the same day in April this year. They included a BBC reporter and a well-known photographer who had written about the dangers of reporting in the Afghan capital.

At least 34 people were killed in a suicide attack targeting Shia at an education center in Kabul last month. ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack. The Taliban, along with other militant groups such as ISIS, routinely attack military and civilian targets in the country.

According to the United Nations, a total of 1,692 people have been killed in the first half of 2018, with another 3,430 people wounded - the highest figure since it began keeping records in 2009.