19-04-2024 02:30 AM Jerusalem Timing

Haqqani Network behind Afghan Blast, Toll Rises to 57

Haqqani Network behind Afghan Blast, Toll Rises to 57

Afghanistan’s intelligence agency on Monday blamed the Haqqani network, a hardline militant group aligned with the Taliban, for the suicide blast at a volleyball game that killed 57 people

Afghanistan's intelligence agency on Monday blamed the Haqqani network, a hardline militant group aligned with the Taliban, for the suicide blast at a volleyball game that killed 57 people.blast (archive)
  
"We have evidence that shows the Haqqani network was behind the attack in Paktika," Haseeb Sediqi, spokesman for the National Directorate of Security, told AFP. "We will release more information shortly."

Survivors of the horrific suicide attack told Monday how the blast ripped through a crowd of spectators enjoying the final moments of the match.

Separately, two NATO soldiers were killed in an attack in the east of Afghanistan on Monday morning, the coalition said, giving no further details.
  
Paktika provincial spokesman Mukhlis Afghan said in a statement the death toll from Sunday's blast had risen to 57 after 15 people died of their injuries overnight.