Suicide bomber in Kabul targets anti-Taliban rally, kills 4

A suicide bomber struck near an anti-Taliban rally in Kabul, killing at least four people, officials say, as a lawmaker reported that insurgents killed at least 20 Afghan policemen over the past 24 hours in eastern Ghazni province.

According to Basir Mujahid, spokesman for the Kabul police chief, the bomber was on foot and detonated his vest full of explosive after he was spotted by police.

Hours later, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place about 500 meters (yards) from where hundreds of minority Shiites had gathered to denounce the latest Taliban attacks in Ghazni districts of Jaghuri and Malistan.

Wahid Mujroh, spokesman for the Health Ministry, says so far at least four were confirmed dead while 22 people were wounded. The casualties were taken to hospitals, he added.

In a statement posted on its media arm, the Aamaq news agency, IS says it targeted a gathering of Shiites. Both the Taliban, who now control nearly half of Afghanistan and stage near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, and the Islamic State group’s affiliate in the region have been behind many recent Kabul attacks and bombings.

— AP