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66 injured as series of blasts rock Afghanistan on its 100th Independence Day

The Jalalabad bombs were planted near a market where hundreds of people had congregated after attending Independence Day events

66 injured as series of blasts rock Afghanistan on its 100th Independence Day

Representational image (Photo: IStock)

As Afghanistan was celebrating its 100th Independence Day on Monday, a series of bombings struck restaurants and public squares in city of Jalalabad. The balsts left at least 66 people injured, officials said.

No terror organisation has claimed responsibility for the 10 bombs. It should be noted that both Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban militants operate in the area.

IS claimed responsibility for a bomb attack that took place at a wedding reception in the capital, Kabul. 63 people were killed and nearly 200 were left wounded in the blast.

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According to Reuters, the Jalalabad bombs were planted near a market where hundreds of people had congregated after attending Independence Day events. Senior health official Fahim Bashari said at least 34 people were wounded.

President Ashraf Ghani, in an Independence Day address in Kabul, called on the international community to stand with Afghanistan to eradicate the militants’ “nests.” 

The incident comes at a time when Afghanistan and United States are at the final stages of peace negotiations which aims to end Taliban’s insurgency and restore normalcy in one of the deadliest regions of the world.

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