Posted on 03/23/2019 3:15:09 PM PDT by robowombat
At least six killed in blasts as Kabul marks Persian New Year
Serial blasts hit New Year celebrations in Kabul 6 die as blasts hit Kabul New Year celebrations Afghan official: 3 explosions target Shiite shrine in Kabul IS suspects behind Kabul twin bombing arrested: Officials Huge explosion rocks Kabul, casualties feared: Officials
At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city.
"Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll.
In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter.
The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists.
"As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter.
"We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds." Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a fourth mine was defused near Kabul University, and that authorities were searching for any others that may have been placed in the area.
But he added that the mines were far from the main site of the celebrations. Exactly one year ago, a blast near a crowd celebrating at the shrine killed 33 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.
IS, which regularly targets Shiites in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, has also attacked the shrine once before, in October 2016, when its gunmen killed 18 people gathered there to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites.
A massive explosion rocked Kabul late Wednesday, police said, and gunfire was heard in what appeared to be an ongoing attack, sparking fears of casualties in the latest violence to target the Afghan capital.
Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed an explosion had taken place in east Kabul, while another ministry official said gunfire could be heard.
I just hope they didn’t have a rebel flag when they exploded.
Because that, like, you know, would totally not be cool.
Fun times in Kabul:
Toll soars to 48 in Kabul education centre blast
IANS | Kabul
Last Updated at August 16, 2018 03:35 IST
Tiny URL Add to My Page Print Email
ALSO READ
At least 25 killed in Kabul suicide attack: officials
8 killed in Kabul suicide bomb attack
10 feared dead in suicide blast in Kabul
12 dead, 31 wounded in Kabul govt building attack: health ministry
Blast rocks Shiite area of western Kabul, casualties feared: officials
At least 48 students were killed and 67 others injured in a suicide bomb blast targeting a private educational centre in Dasht-e-Barchi locality of Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, the Public Health Ministry said.
Many of the injured remained in critical condition. Earlier reports said that 25 people were killed and 36 others injured, Xinhua reported.
Most of the victims were high school graduates who attended lessons on preparation for university entry test. Among the victims were many female students.
The UN mission in the country condemned the attack, saying in a statement that “no justification whatsoever for targeting civilians, at any time, under any circumstances.”
No group has claimed responsibility yet. However, people pointed finger at the hardliner Islamic State (IS) group, saying the extremist outfit could be behind the deadly attack as it did in the past.
First Published: Thu, August 16 2018. 03:28 IST
Nothing says “religion of peace” like explosions.
Click the Pic
Hope Trump doesn’t say there are good people on both sides or the Dems will get mad.
It’s not enough for muslims to kill infidels, they also have to kill other muslims.
Allahu Fubar
The Persians were celebrating Naw Rúz a thousand years before Muhammad was born.
So are all residents of Kabul now eligible for refugee status?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
