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

A massive explosion was reported in the vicinity of the 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 the blast. Media reports have also suggested that it was a suicide blast. As per reports, at least 15-20 people have died in the blast. 

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

Afghanistan encounters a series of deadly bomb blasts 

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

Last year, a series of deadly bomb blasts took place in which more than 60 people lost their 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 the Taliban for power in Afghanistan, later claimed responsibility for the attack. In the aftermath of the attack, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the incident and highlighted the need to bring the killers to justice.  

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