Death toll climbs to 25 including 5 journalists in twin suicide bombings in Kabul

KABUL – At least 25 people including five journalists were confirmed dead and 45 others injured in the twin suicide bombings that rocked Afghan capital Kabul on Monday. 

It was the deadliest attack against civilians in Kabul since the beginning of the Afghan new year on March 21.

Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said a suicide bomber riding an explosive-borne motorbike exploded it in Shash Darak locality killing himself and a few others. When people including journalists rushed to the site another terrorist disguised himself as a journalist set off his explosive-borne camera killing himself and over a dozen others including journalists. 

The first blast occurred at around 8:00 a.m. local time and the second one was conducted in a span of 30 minutes, according to the officials and eyewitnesses. 

Afghan Journalist Center has confirmed that five journalists including reporters, cameramen and photographers from different media outlets were killed and another one injured. A reporter of AFP was also among the dead. 

The Islamic State outfit has reportedly claimed responsibility for the twin attacks. 

Some reports said eight journalists lost their lives and six others injured. 

It was the second attack on journalists in Afghanistan over the past one week. Militants gunned down a local journalist in southern Kandahar province earlier this month. 

Taliban militants who launched their so-called annual offensive last Wednesday have intensified operations in war-battered Afghanistan. Enditem 
---