Death toll from suicide bombing in Afghanistan climbs to 36  


FE Team | Published: June 17, 2018 16:03:19


Death toll from suicide bombing in Afghanistan climbs to 36  

The death toll from a suicide bombing against a gathering of Taliban fighters celebrating a holiday cease-fire in Afghanistan has risen to 36, an official said Sunday.

Najibullah Kamawal, director of the health department in the eastern Nangarhar province, said another 65 people were wounded in Saturday’s attack, reports AP.

The bomber targeted a gathering of fighters who were celebrating a three-day truce coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

No one immediately claimed the attack, but it was likely carried out by the Islamic State group, which was not included in the cease-fire and has clashed with the Taliban in the past.

After the attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a nine-day extension of the cease-fire.

There was no immediate word from the Taliban on whether they would observe the extension.

The three-day holiday and cease-fire ends Sunday.

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