Five Emiratis among 56 killed in Afghanistan blasts

KABUL - Around 50 people were killed and 100 others were injured as three Afghan cities including the capital Kabul were targeted in separate attacks on Tuesday.

According to initial reports, Taliban insurgents are believed to be behind the deadly bombings that jolted Afghanistan in a single day.

The United Arab Emirates says five of its diplomats killed in an attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar, including UAE ambassador to Afghanistan Juma al-Kaabi.

Two suicide bombings near the Afghan Parliament in Kabul killed at least 31 people while injuring 45 others. Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

An explosion at a Kandahar province government compound left five people dead while injuring 14 according to a provincial government official.



Abdullah Khodadad, director of press and public relations for the Afghan Embassy in Washington, confirmed the death of diplomat Yama Quraishi in Kandhar attack.

Quraishi was head of Afghanistan's passport section in Washington. He is the nephew of Karzai's wife.

 

Deep sadness at tragic events in #Kabul & #Kandahar; We mourn the loss of our dear colleague @Embassy_of_AFG Diplomat Yama #Quraishi 1/2 pic.twitter.com/0VyKFCTP3B

— Afghan Embassy DC (@Embassy_of_AFG) January 10, 2017

In Helmand province, a suicide bomber killed at least seven Afghans, including both civilian and military personnel, the National Security Council said.

Condemning the "barbaric attack" President Ashraf Ghani blamed the Taliban for the assault on civilians, which left the area littered with bloodied bodies.

On the other hand, Pakistan also strongly condemned the terrorist attacks near the Parliament building in Kabul and Kandahar on Tuesday that resulted in loss of precious lives.

According to a press release by the Foreign office, the government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured.