Attack on Afghan market kills and wounds ‘scores:’ UN

Taliban officials say only 10 people have been wounded in an attack on a busy market in Nangarhar province

KABUL:

The UN mission to Afghanistan reported scores of people were killed and wounded in an attack on a busy market in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, although Taliban officials said they could only confirm 10 people had been wounded.

"UNAMA condemns this morning's attack in a crowded bazaar in Nangarhar province which killed and wounded scores of civilians, among them some children," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on its Twitter account.

UNAMA condemns this morning’s attack in a crowded bazaar in #Nangarhar province which killed and wounded scores of civilians, among them some children. Continuing attacks targeting civilians across #Afghanistan must cease immediately. pic.twitter.com/alTGRf9dGu

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) June 20, 2022

"Continuing attacks targeting civilians across Afghanistan must cease immediately."

Quriashi Badloun, the Taliban administration's head of media and information for Nangarhar, confirmed a blast had taken place but said the target wasn't clear.

Also read: Attack on Sikh temple in Afghanistan's capital Kabul kills two

"We confirm 10 injuries, we are not confirming deaths," Badloun said.

Since taking power in August, the Taliban say they have increased security in Afghanistan and removed the country from militant threats, although international officials and analysts say the risk of a resurgence in militancy remains.

The Daesh militant group has claimed some attacks in recent months.

Deadly blasts have taken place in the country each day since Friday, including one at a Sikh temple in the capital Kabul, sparking international concerns over a recent spate of violence in Afghanistan.