Afghanistan: Blast takes place near Russian embassy in Kabul; at least 20 killed

A massive explosion was reported in vicinity of Russian Embassy in Afghanistan's national capital, Kabul on Monday, according to Russian news agency Sputnik. Russian embassy says, two of its embassy staff have died in blast. Media reports have also suggested that it was a suicide blast. As per reports, at least 15-20 people have died in blast. 

On Friday, a prominent Afghan cleric was among people killed in a blast that rocked a mosque in Herat province, officials said. blast happened during Friday prayers inside mosque, TOLO News reported. Earlier last month, a major explosion happened in a mosque, resulting in killing of two and injury of more than 30. In 2016, a bomb exploded close to Russian Embassy. During incident, at least 2 people were killed and more than 20 were injured. 

Afghanistan encounters a series of dely bomb blasts 

It is worth mentioning that country has been witnessing back-to-back bomb blasts after Taliban took over Afghanistan in mid-August last year. As per media reports, number of deaths in country was higher during former President Ashraf Ghani's reign but number of blasts was lesser under his regime. report said that bomb blast in capital has become a new normal in Taliban regime. 

Last year, a series of dely bomb blasts took place in which more than 60 people lost ir lives while praying at Imam Bargah-e-Fatima Mosque. Earlier, a Shiite mosque was targeted by a massive explosion that severely injured over 83 people. ISIS-K, which has been contesting Taliban for power in Afghanistan, later claimed responsibility for attack. In aftermath of attack, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned incident and highlighted need to bring killers to justice.  

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