Thirty-five people died and 125 have
been injured after a suicide bomb was detonated outside a bank in
Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Above, a man leads an injured boy by the hands
after the suicide attack, as others gather to try and help
This is the moment a young boy covered in blood was dragged from the scene of a devastating suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.
He
was near a bank in Jalalabad early Saturday morning when the attacker
detonated an explosive-laden motorcycle, killing 35 people and injuring
another 125.
The
group, which included military personnel as well as civilians, were
waiting to receive their monthly salaries as crowds bustled around them
when the bomb exploded in the busy commercial district.
Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the attack, President Ghani said.
One witness said a man in a suit
arrived on a motorbike seconds earlier. Above, men and boys run and hide
behind trees as the bomb detonates
Pictures
taken moments after the explosion show shoes, belongings and commercial
goods scattered over the road and pavement amid broken glass and blood.
Men and children were captured bandaging themselves on the street while attempting to get hold of family and friends.
The
force of the blast damaged businesses and cars, as well as causing
windows to break several miles away. Security forces blocked off the
area to allow ambulances and rescue crews to care for the wounded.
Ahmad
Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said:
'There are reports of many wounded people in critical condition at the
hospital.'
A man with
his head and hands covered in blood clutches his mobile phone (left)
minutes after the bomb exploded while another bandages his own leg
(right)
The attacker targeted a crowd of
military personnel and civilians and detonated an explosive-laden
motorcycle. Above, Afghan security officials inspect the scene
Locals and officials work together to
carry injured men to a green police pick up, which is waiting to take
the men to Jalalabad hospital
Ten uninjured men club together to
help move injured civilians. Security forces blocked off the area to
allow ambulances and rescue crews to care for the wounded
Pictures taken after the attack show
shoes, belongings and commercial goods scattered across the road and
pavement amid broken glass and blood
Officials react to the scene after
the attack, many holding guns and others unloading equipment from
vehicles as smoke fills the street
An injured Afghan receives treatment
at hospital after being rescued from the scene. Their face is covered in
blood and head bandaged as they lie with their eyes closed
Dr Hamayon Zaheer, head of Jalalabad
hospital, confirmed that more than 100 wounded and around 33 dead bodies
had been brought to the hospital
Dr
Hamayon Zaheer, head of Jalalabad hospital, confirmed that more than
100 wounded and around 33 dead bodies had been brought to the hospital.
One
Afghan army soldier receiving treatment for wounds said he had received
his salary from the bank but was still in the area when the blast took
place.
'A
motorcycle came in and I think a man in a suit entered inside the crowd
and detonated his explosive. I heard two sounds of explosions and I
can't remember after that,' he said.
Four men - one talking on a mobile
phone - survey a set of shattered windows near the scene. The force of
the blast caused windows to break several miles away
A security official crouches down
clutching a gun while others use radios to communicate as smoke clears
from the street after the attack
A father kisses his son, who has a
bandage round his head and is covered in dirt, and holds his hand to his
mouth minutes after the blast
The Pakistani government, which is coordinating with Afghanistan on counter-terrorism issues, condemned the attacks.
A
statement released by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry labelled the
bombings 'cowardly' and 'indiscriminate' and said there was no
justification for attacks against civilians under any circumstances.
Mr
Ghani added that Islamic State was starting to establish a presence in
Afghanistan. He used his visit to the United States last month to
reiterate his concerns that the extremist group was making inroads into
Afghanistan.
'If
we don't stand on the same line united, these people are going to
destroy us,' he told the 600 people gathered at the provincial
government headquarters in Faizabad.
The
rise of even a small Islamic State affiliate could further destabilize
the region and complicate U.S. and NATO efforts to end the 13-year
Afghan war.
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