Seven dead as bombers target minivan in Afghanistan

Gulf Today Report

A bomb attached to a packed minivan exploded in Afghanistan's western Herat province on Saturday, killing at least seven civilians and wounding nine others, Taliban officials said.

The sticky bomb was attached to the fuel tank of the bus, and left nine other people wounded.

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"Four women were among the seven killed," the head of Herat's provincial hospital, Arif Jalali told the media.

The blast was confirmed by Herat's intelligence office.

Saturday's bombing was the first such attack in Herat. Picture used for illustrative purposes only.

"Initial reports indicate it was a sticky bomb attached to the fuel tank of the passenger vehicle," said Sabit Harwi, a spokesman for the office.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, but the Daesh has claimed credit for similar attacks on civilians and the country’s new Taliban leaders elsewhere in the country since the group seized power on Aug. 15.

Saturday's bombing was the first such attack in Herat. Local Taliban official Naeemulhaq Haqqani said investigations were ongoing.

A Taliban intelligence official in western Herat told the Associated Press that the bomb was attached to the van’s fuel tank. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to release the information to the public.

Herat provincial police and the department of culture also confirmed the bomb blast. No group has so far claimed the attack.

Herat Ambulance chief Ebrahim Mohammadi said the victims — three in critical condition — were transferred to the provincial hospital.