Mortar fire kills three
A mortar attack on a large ceremony attended by Afghanistan's chief executive and other leading government figures in Kabul yesterday killed three people and injured 22 others, officials said.
The attack claimed by the Islamic State group represents a major security breach and marks a resumption of violence in the capital after weeks of calm amid ongoing peace talks between the US and Taliban in Doha.
"Stay calm, the area of the blast is far from us," said former lower house speaker Mohammad Younus Qanooni from the stage during a live broadcast of the outdoor event.
But moments after the announcement, another explosion and gunfire could be heard that sent people running.
The blasts took place during a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the death of Shia Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari that was attended by many of the country's political elite, including Afghanistan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah and former president Hamid Karzai.
IS later claimed the barrage saying its fighters targeted the ceremony with mortar fire, according to a statement published by the group's propaganda agency Amaq.
Presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram was among the injured, according to his official Facebook page, which said he was in "stable condition".
Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani -- who was also at the scene -- later added that "terrorists launched rocket attacks on commemoration ceremony", and said he had escaped safely. Mortar fire is commonly referred to as "rockets" by Afghan officials.
IS have claimed responsibility for a string of bloody attacks on Shiite gatherings and mosques across the country over the years.
The incident comes as US and Taliban negotiations hold peace talks in Qatar aimed at ending the nearly 18-year conflict.
The last major attack in Kabul occurred in January when the Taliban claimed responsibility for a car bomb that struck the heavily fortified Green Village foreign compound.
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