Suicide bomb attack kills 13, wounds 14 in Afghanistan's Jalalabad
The bomber targeted the home of a prominent leader who had organised an event to celebrate his son’s release from Taliban captivity.
At least 13 people were killed and 14 wounded in a suicide bombing at a tribal leader's home in the Afghan city of Jalalabad on Sunday, AFP reported. The attack took place while prominent leader Obaidullah Shinwari was celebrating his son’s release after being held captive by the Taliban. The son was among the casualties. A statement from the governor of Nangarhar province confirmed the attack.
Shinwari is part of the Nangarhar provincial council, and his family actively participates in local and national politics. According to a spokesman for the provincial government, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives around 10.30 am at Shinwari’s home compound, where there were people gathered in a guest house. “The number of casualties is likely to increase because there were so many people there,” the spokesman added.
The incident occurred close to the Pakistani consulate, which was targeted in an attack last week, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. So far, no group has claimed this bombing.