Afghanistan: At least 26 killed, several wounded in Kabul explosion; ISIS claims responsibility

At least 26 people were killed and several others wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan capital Kabul on Wednesday.

The explosion took place as the Afghan capital celebrated the Nawruz holiday marking the start of the Persian new year.

According to ToloNews, the blast took place at the Kart-e-Char area in PD3, near Ali Abad hospital and Kabul University.

Officials have said at least 25 people were killed and 18 wounded in Wednesday's bombing in PD3 in #Kabul. pic.twitter.com/ZgGTLyAkrs

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) March 21, 2018

The bodies were lying on the ground soon after the explosion, which is believed to have been a car bomb.

In Cairo, militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, its Amaq news agency said. An affiliate of the group has claimed previous attacks on Shi'ite targets.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said the bomber had apparently intended to reach the shrine, a target of previous militant attacks, but had been prevented from getting closer by police checkpoints.

"We had our security in place in and around the shrine," he said. "All the casualties were young men who were either passing by on the road or gathering to enjoy Nawruz."

Nasrat Rahimi, the deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, says another 18 people were wounded in Wednesday's attack. He says the attacker was on foot.

The Persian new year, known in Afghanistan as Nauruz, is a national holiday. The country's minority Shiites typically celebrate by visiting shrines.

 Afghanistan is home to a powerful Islamic State affiliate that has repeatedly targeted Shiites, who the Sunni extremists view as apostates deserving of death.

(With agency inputs)