Kabul suicide bomber kills 31 and wounds more than 50

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, killing at least 31 people and wounding more than 50, most of whom were waiting in line to receive identity cards, officials said. 

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack which underscores growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials had been issuing identity cards as part of voters’ registration process for the election.

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, killing at least 31 people and wounding more than 50, most of whom were waiting in line to receive identity cards, officials said

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack which underscores growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year's presidential poll. Pictured: An Afghan man inspects the site left by the bomb

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack which underscores growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll. Pictured: An Afghan man inspects the site left by the bomb

President Ghani has been under heavy pressure from his international partners to ensure the elections are held this year, ahead of a presidential election due in 2019 although there has been widespread scepticism that they will take place. Pictured: The voter registration centre after the attack

President Ghani has been under heavy pressure from his international partners to ensure the elections are held this year, ahead of a presidential election due in 2019 although there has been widespread scepticism that they will take place. Pictured: The voter registration centre after the attack

'They should be keeping the country safe, if they can't, someone else should be in their place,' said Sajeda, who was wounded in the blast along with three other members of her family as they lined up for their cards

‘They should be keeping the country safe, if they can’t, someone else should be in their place,’ said Sajeda, who was wounded in the blast along with three other members of her family as they lined up for their cards

A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 31 people were confirmed dead and 54 wounded. The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the street.

It was the most serious attack in Kabul since a bomb concealed in an ambulance killed around 100 people in January. 

After weeks of relative calm, the blast took place in Dasht-e Barchi, an area of western Kabul inhabited by many members of the mainly Shi’ite Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State.

‘There were women, children. Everyone had come to get their identity cards,’ said Bashir Ahmad who had been nearby the blast, which occurred despite heightened security measures following the January attack.

Unless the process of registering millions of voters, many of whom do not have national identity cards, can be completed before winter sets, the election would almost certainly have to be postponed until next year. Pictured: Crowds gathered to see the destruction left

Unless the process of registering millions of voters, many of whom do not have national identity cards, can be completed before winter sets, the election would almost certainly have to be postponed until next year. Pictured: Crowds gathered to see the destruction left

Voter registration began this month but there have already been a number of attacks apparently aimed at disrupting the preparations

Voter registration began this month but there have already been a number of attacks apparently aimed at disrupting the preparations

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials had been issuing identity cards as part of voters' registration process for the election

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials had been issuing identity cards as part of voters’ registration process for the election

A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 31 people were confirmed dead and 54 wounded. The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the street

A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 31 people were confirmed dead and 54 wounded. The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the street

Voter registration centres have been set up across Afghanistan ahead of long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections and there have been serious concerns that militants might attack them.

A witness to the attack named Akbar told Tolo TV: ‘Now we know the government cannot provide us security: we have to get armed and protect ourselves.’ 

President Ghani has been under heavy pressure from his international partners to ensure the elections are held this year, ahead of a presidential election due in 2019 although there has been widespread scepticism that they will take place.

‘They should be keeping the country safe, if they can’t, someone else should be in their place,’ said Sajeda, who was wounded in the blast along with three other members of her family as they lined up for their cards.

Also on Sunday, a roadside bomb near a voter registration centre in the northern city of Pul-i Khumri killed six members of a family and wounded three as they drove past the site although there was no indication the attacks were linked. 

It was the most serious attack in Kabul since a bomb concealed in an ambulance killed around 100 people in January

It was the most serious attack in Kabul since a bomb concealed in an ambulance killed around 100 people in January

After weeks of relative calm, the blast - which left many wounded (pictured) - took place in Dasht-e Barchi, an area of western Kabul inhabited by many members of the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State

After weeks of relative calm, the blast – which left many wounded (pictured) – took place in Dasht-e Barchi, an area of western Kabul inhabited by many members of the mainly Shi’ite Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State

'There were women, children. Everyone had come to get their identity cards,' said Bashir Ahmad who had been nearby the blast, which occurred despite heightened security measures following the January attack

‘There were women, children. Everyone had come to get their identity cards,’ said Bashir Ahmad who had been nearby the blast, which occurred despite heightened security measures following the January attack

Afghans search ID papers and photos of their relatives on the ground outside the voter registration centre after being attacked 

Afghans search ID papers and photos of their relatives on the ground outside the voter registration centre after being attacked 

Pictured: Blood-stained National ID papers and voters' photos are seen on the ground outside. Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern as militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country

Pictured: Blood-stained National ID papers and voters’ photos are seen on the ground outside. Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern as militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country

Afghan police and troops have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against insurgents on the battlefield

Afghan police and troops have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against insurgents on the battlefield

Voter registration began this month but there have already been a number of attacks apparently aimed at disrupting the preparations.

Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern as militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country.

Afghan police and troops have been tasked with protecting polling centres, even as they struggle to get the upper hand against insurgents on the battlefield. 

Over the next two months, authorities hope to register up to 14 million adults at more than 7,000 polling centres for the parliamentary and district council elections.

Officials have been pushing people to register amid fears a low turnout will undermine the credibility of the polls. 

Unless the process of registering millions of voters, many of whom do not have national identity cards, can be completed before winter sets, the election would almost certainly have to be postponed until next year.

According to U.N. figures, more than 750 people have been killed or maimed in suicide attacks and bombings by militant groups during the three months to March.



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