Kabul, May 06
An Afghan official says at least 30 people were “killed and wounded” in a bomb blast inside a mosque in eastern Khost province that was being used as a voter registration center.
Talib Mangal, spokesman for the Provincial Governor, confirmed Sunday's attack and provided the approximate toll. Baser Bena, spokesman for the provincial police chief, also confirmed the attack in Khost city, the provincial capital. Neither had an exact figure for casualties.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but both the Taliban and a local Islamic State affiliate reject democratic elections and have targeted them in the past. IS is not known to have a presence in Khost, but has expanded its footprint into other areas in recent years.
NEW DELHI/KABU: Six Indians, reportedly working in a power company in Afghanistan, were today abducted by unidentified armed men in northern Baghlan province with External Affairs Ministry saying they are in touch with Afghan authorities to ascertain the details of the incident.
The armed men abducted six Indians and one Afghan employee of Indian company KEC in Bagh-e-Shamal village of the provincial capital Pul-e-Khomre, TOLOnews reported, citing local officials.
They were abducted while travelling to the area, where the company owns an electricity sub-station contract, the report said.
In response to queries on the report of abduction of the Indian nationals in Afghanistan, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson in New Delhi said, “We are aware of the abduction of Indian nationals from Baghlan province in Afghanistan. We are in contact with the Afghan authorities and further details are being ascertained.”
Baghlan provincial council has linked the incident to the Taliban. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far.
KEC is one of the largest Indian companies in Afghanistan that is responsible for electricity supply in the country, the report said.
Last month, an Islamic State suicide bomber attacked a voter registration center in Kabul, killing 60 people and wounding at least 130 others.
