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13 Dead, 30 Injured In Jalalabad After Suicide Bomber Detonates In Crowd At Election Rally

Joseph Lafave Contributor
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A suicide bomber killed at least 13 people and wounded an additional 30 on Tuesday morning in the Kama district outside of Jalalabad, Afghanistan. According to Reuters, the target of the attack was a political campaign rally which was attended by around 250 people.

“Elders were speaking at the meeting when there was suddenly a huge blast,” said Sayed Humayoun, one of the rally’s attendees while speaking to Reuters. “I was knocked unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, there were bodies scattered all around the blast area.”

Although no group has come forward and claimed responsibility, many experts suspect the Islamic State is behind the attack. The terrorist group is known to have carried out similar attacks in Nangarhar province.

In addition to the attack in the Kama district, another attack in Nangarhar province later on Tuesday wounded seven children. The second attack, which took place on a cricket field in the Bati Kot district, was likely carried out by ISIS as well.

As the October 20 parliamentary election nears, many experts are anticipating the tempo of attacks to increase. According to Reuters, some officials are concerned that the attacks may force a delay of the election if it becomes too unsafe for the Afghans to vote.