Suicide bomb attack in Kabul kills at least 50, 70 injured

TIL Desk/World/Kabul/ A suicide bombing on Tuesday at a hall in Kabul where hundreds of religious scholars had gathered to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday left at least 50 people dead and more than 70 others wounded, officials said.

The attack was carried out by a lone insurgent inside the Uranus wedding hall, Kabul police spokesperson Basir Mujahid told. “The explosion took place as hundreds of ulema (Islamic scholars) and people were gathered in the hall to observe Mawlid and recite passages from the Quran,” he said, adding that police had not been advised of a need for security beforehand.

All of the victims were civilian men, health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh told. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed the “unpardonable crime” on the “enemies of Islam.” “Once again, the terrorists have acted against the teachings of the Prophet,” he said in a statement. While no group claimed responsibility, the Taliban, Afghanistan’s largest insurgency, took the unusual step of denying involvement.