At least 21 people have been killed and 91 injured in a car bomb blast in Polealam, the capital of Lougar province in Afghanistan on Friday, Interior Ministry spokesman Tarik Arians said.
–
President Ashraf Gani blamed the Taliban insurgents for the bombing. The attack took place the day before the official start of the withdrawal of US troops.
The explosion in Polealama, south of the country’s capital, Kabul, took place near the hospital, the Pajhwok news agency reported.
The target of the explosion was a guest house housing dozens of people, including university students, said Hasibulla Stanikzai, chairman of the provincial council.
The explosion has caused significant damage to the area, including hospitals and homes, Arians said.
“The roofs of the buildings have collapsed and people are trapped under the ruins,” he said, warning that the final number of victims could turn out to be higher.
– .
