Afghanistan highway blast kills at least 34 on bus, injures 17

Pakistan condemns the attack, extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims

KABUL: An explosion on Wednesday hit a bus travelling on a highway between two key cities in western Afghanistan, killing at least 34 passengers, including children, and injuring 17, officials said.

Security has been deteriorating across Afghanistan, with the Taliban and Islamic State fighters mounting near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, government employees and civilians.



The blast on the highway linking the provincial capitals of Herat and Kandahar took place in the Ab Khorma area of Farah province, said provincial police spokesperson Mohibullah Mohib.

“The bomb was freshly planted by the Taliban insurgents to target Afghan and foreign security forces,” he said.

Taliban officials were not immediately available to comment on the statement and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Government and aid officials say the numbers of those being killed and maimed is rising because of explosives newly planted by the Taliban, who now control more territory than at any point since their ouster nearly 18 years ago.

Wednesday’s blast comes ahead of presidential elections next month when US officials and Taliban representatives are also due to resume talks to agree on a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees.

Pakistan condemns attack

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal strongly condemned the bomb attack in Afghanistan and said, "Our hearts go out to the innocent victims, many of them women and children."



“Such inhuman acts of violence against innocent civilians are condemnable. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” The FO spokesperson said.

Dr Faisal said, "Pakistan stands together with the government and people of Afghanistan in the efforts to comprehensively defeat and uproot the scourge of terrorism in our region."