Twin Blasts in Bamyan; Death Toll, Reactions

Back-to-back explosions in central Bamyan province killed at least 17 people and wounded 60 more late Tuesday.

The improvised bomb explosions came in a very short period in the main crowded market place of the city roughly at 4:30 p.m. (local time).
At least 17 people were killed and over 50 others wounded after twin explosions hit a marketplace in Bamyan city, capital of central Bamyan province, on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.
“The latest figures indicated 17 people, including a traffic police officer, who were killed and over 50 others were wounded,” a provincial health official said.
The death toll could rise, the official added.

Afghan Presidential Palace said in a statement that the enemies of Afghanistan, in a series of their terrorist attacks, killed and wounded several compatriots in Sarak-e Naw of Bamyan city.
The High Council for National Reconciliations (HCNR) also in a statement condemned the bomb attack in Bamyan province, calling it unjust, cruel, and inhumane, saying “Attacks on innocent civilians, including workers on the road, is a war crime, and have no human, moral or Islamic justification”.
“Attack on Bamyan is an attack on the heart of Afghanistan and an attack on peace and stability in the country. Bamyan province in the heart of the country has been a symbol of peace, tranquility, and reconciliation,” the statement added.

Former president Hamid Karzai condemned the heinous explosions and said, “given the recent developments in the peace process, I call on the Afghan sides to accelerate their efforts to end the foreign-imposed conflict and work together to bring lasting peace to our suffering people”.
Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of NDS described the attack on Bamyan as an alarm for the whole of Afghanistan.
“Let’s not forget that today’s (yesterday) explosion in Bamyan could be a serious alarm for the whole of Afghanistan, and this issue must be addressed more seriously,” Nabil said.

The second vice president Sarwar Danish called the attack a failed attempt by terrorist groups to spread violence and fear in the country.
“Terrorist groups cannot obscure the bright face of Bamyan with such attacks,” he said.
Sayed Alireza Mahmoodi, the head of Majma-e Milli Mardom-e Afghanistan also condemned the attack, saying: “tonight, the safest province of the country is painful and sad. Attacking Bamyan is a clear enmity with reciprocity and humanity”.
“If peace were to be achieved through war and bloodshed, Afghanistan would be the safest country in the world today,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The Taliban militant group denied its involvement in the blasts, which happened in the relatively peaceful province of Afghanistan.