2 civilians killed in explosion

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Two civilians were killed and 18 others, including three policemen, wounded as a result of an explosion in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, on Wednesday morning. Local officials said the blast occurred in the LaghmanAda area of Jalalabad’s second police district at around 6am.

Farid Khan, spokesman for Nangarhar police, told Pajhwok Afghan News initial reports indicated the explosion happened close to a police vehicle, One police officer and three civilians were wounded. They are said to be in stable condition. But another source claimed the explosion was triggered by an IED, which claimed the lives of two civilians and injured 18 others, including three policemen.

Gulzada Sangar, spokesman for the Nangarhar Zonal Hospital, confirmed two dead bodies and 18 wounded individuals were brought to the hospital. Three of the wounded were policemen, he said. Four of the injured were in critical condition, the official added. An eyewitness, Ansarullah, told Pajhwok the site — the Laghman transport terminal near a vegetable market — was crowded at the time of the blast. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing in Jalalabad, where Taliban and Daesh fighters are active.