At least 29 killed in suicide blast in Afghanistan

A bombing in Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province has killed 22 members of illegal armed groups, including four leaders, an Afghan official said Sunday.

“The incident took place (when) a suicide bomber detonated his suicide vest in Khanabad district”, the interior ministry said, strongly condemning the “heinous act”. The Afghan Interior Ministry had initially stated that all those killed were civilians, but local officials confirmed that the attack had specifically targeted anti-Taliban militiamen.

He said most of those killed were thought to be pro-government militia who have been fighting an offensive launched earlier this year by the Taliban and Central Asian extremists who have sworn allegiance to the Islamic State militant group.

He said 19 others were wounded, including 15 civilians. The bombings in Kabul struck near an army complex, a police academy and a US special forces base.

The Taliban have stepped up assaults throughout the nation since U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces shifted from a fight to a help and coaching position on the finish of final yr.

In the northern Badakhshan province, Taliban insurgents hanged a 27-year-old mother of three after accusing her of having extramarital sex, said Nawid Frotan, spokesman for the provincial governor.

The officials further added that the woman was found guilty adultery during a tribal court hearing conducted by the Taliban militants.

Experts say the growing number of attacks demonstrates Mullah Mansour’s attempt to boost his image among Taliban cadres and drive attention away from internal rifts over his leadership. The insurgents accused the three of spying, Frotan stated.