At least five people were killed in a suicide attack outside the Foreign Ministry in the Afghan capital Kabul today, police said. The Taliban said there were also several wounded. Afghan media reported much higher casualties, citing foreign ministry sources as saying 20 people were killed and 26 were wounded.
A hospital near the blast site said more than 40 people were injured in the blast. The killer tried unsuccessfully to enter the building. Photos shared on social media show several people lying in the street in front of the ministry after the incident. The Taliban condemned the “cowardly attack on Muslims” and announced they would find and punish those responsible.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. A photo released by authorities shows at least nine dead or injured on the ground in front of the ministry. The Taliban government blames the extremist Islamic State (IS) militia for a series of attacks. The two Islamic organizations are enemies.