Afghan officials say at least eight people were killed and dozens injured in a bomb attack in the eastern province of Logar on July 30, just hours before a three-day cease-fire was to begin for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
The suspected car bomb went off in the central Azadi (Liberty) Square in the provincial capital, Pol-e-Alam, which was packed with people shopping for Eid celebrations, according to local officials and eyewitnesses.
The Interior Ministry said in a statement that all the victims were civilians, with women and children among the dead.
However, provincial police spokesman Shahpoor Ahmadzai said the attack targeted a police checkpoint and that there were security forces among the victims.
According to Ahmadzai, government forces had gathered in the city to prepare for security measures ahead of the Eid celebrations.
He said the civilian casualties were mainly in cars that had stopped at a checkpoint.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. The Taliban denied involvement.
The Afghan government and the Taliban have agreed on a three-day ceasefire starting on July 31, the first day of Eid in Afghanistan.
The cease-fire is slated to last for the duration of the festival, which marks the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage.
Related
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Serbia Deepens Military Ties With China Through Drones, Air Defense Systems
2Several Protesters Reported Dead In Iran As Anger Builds Over Dismal Economy
3Why Are So Many Leaders Warning Of War With Russia?
4Scores Of Bodies Outside Morgue In Tehran Amid Deadly Iran Protests
5Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Now Longer Than Soviet War Against Hitler
6Tanks On The Tree: Russian Military Ornaments Are Out In Force This Year
7Belarus Jailing Citizens For Supporting Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
8Costs Mount As Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade War Strands Thousands Of Trucks
9Why Israel Now Eyes Iran's Missiles Over Nukes Ahead Of Netanyahu-Trump Talks
10Shortcut To Zaporizhzhya: Russian Forces Creep Across Drained Reservoir After Dam Breach
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.