Afghanistan: Blast kills 3 civilians at football field

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - At least three people were killed and more than 10 others wounded following a powerful bomb explosion in Afghanistan's southeastern Khost province on Monday, an official said.

Aadil Haider, spokesman for the police headquarters, told Anadolu Agency the blast ripped through a crowd of footballers and spectators at a football field in the Nadir Shah Kot district.

The blast was caused by explosives planted in a motorbike, he added.

According to locals, all three killed in the blast were from a single family.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

This came on the heels of a landmark “Reduction in Violence” week that ended on Saturday in line with the peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban.

According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), the Taliban staged armed attacks, abductions and roadside blasts in 16 out of the country’s 34 provinces during the week, killing 14 civilians and 22 security forces.

The commission has also confirmed the killing of five Taliban militants during the week.

Despite such a notable death toll, the commission has dubbed it as remarkably lower figure of casualties comparing to the week earlier when 78 civilians casualties, including 27 deaths and 51 injuries, were reported.

“The figures show a 28% decrease in violence compared to the week before the reduction in violence week,” the AIHRC said in a report.