Suicide bomber strikes Kabul political gathering, killing at least 12

A suicide bomber detonated a blast Thursday near a political gathering of supporters for one of Afghanistan’s most powerful factional leaders, killing at least 12 people in the latest attack in Afghanistan’s capital.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency, but the group often asserts links to attacks without offering proof. The Taliban denied any role.

The bomber triggered explosives on his body after police stopped him outside the entrance of the hotel where the Jamiat-i-Islami party members were meeting, police said. The gathering was called to show support for a senior party member, Atta Mohammed Noor, a former militia leader and longtime governor of northern Balkh province.

Read the whole story from The Washington Post.

Featured image courtesy of AP