According to officials, a bomb went off during an awards ceremony for journalists in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, killing at least one person and injuring eight, including three children
Mar 11, 2023 3:34 am ET
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JALALABAD, Afghanistan — A bomb exploded Saturday during an awards ceremony for journalists in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, killing at least one person and injuring eight, including children, officials said.
The blast went off at the Tabian Farhang center in Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, as journalists gathered for the award ceremony at 11 am, said Mohammad Asif Waziri, a local police spokesman.
Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said five journalists and three children were injured. The blast killed a security guard, he said.
The blast came two days after a bomb in Mazar-e-Sharif killed provincial governor Daud Muzmal and two others. Four people were injured.
Among the journalists injured on Saturday was Najeeb Faryad, a reporter for Ariana News TV. Faryad said he felt like something hit him in the back, followed by a deafening noise before falling to the ground.
Hujatullah Mujadidi, chairman of the Association of Free Journalists of Afghanistan, said the cultural center in Balkh held the event in honor of media workers from the north of the country. He said 14 journalists were injured.
The UN mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack as “disgusting”.
“The violence has to stop. Afghan reporters are showing immense courage and need to be protected,” the UN mission said on Twitter.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate — known as Islamic State in Khorasan province — is a key rival to the ruling Taliban.
Islamic State has increased its attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. Targets included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shia minority.