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Dozens killed in Afghanistan suicide attack

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Security forces sealed off the area after the attack


At least 40 people have been killed and 30 wounded in a suicide attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul. A Shia cultural and religious organisation and media offices of the Afghan Voice agency were hit.

The interior ministry told the BBC a suicide blast was followed by another two explosions in the area. No-one has yet said they were behind the attack.



In recent months, so-called Islamic State has been carrying out attacks on Shia targets across the country.

What do we know about the attack?
Both the Tabayan cultural centre and offices of Afghan Voice were at the location of the attack.

Students were among those who had gathered at the centre for a discussion forum.

The interior ministry said the event was to mark the 38th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

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The initial explosion was followed by two others that appeared to target those trying to help victims. Images on social media showed a number of bodies in a courtyard following the blast.

Student Mohammad Hasan Rezayee told Tolo News: “After the blast there was fire and smoke inside the building and everyone was pleading for help.”

Sayed Abbas Hussaini, a journalist at Afghan Voice, told Reuters that one reporter at the agency had been killed and two wounded.

Local hospitals are treating the dozens of people wounded, and there are fears the death toll could rise.

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Who could have carried it out?
There are unconfirmed reports that the IS group has said it was behind the attack but BBC correspondents say this has not yet come from an official IS source.

The Taliban issued a statement saying they were not involved.

Both groups have carried out frequent attacks across the country, although the Taliban are not known to specifically target Shia groups.

Source: BBC

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