First bombing in Afghanistan's Bamyan since 2001 kills 23

Two explosions rocked the city, formerly regarded as one of the few safe places in Afghanistan, injuring 58 people

Investigators and passers-by inspect the damage after two bombs ripped though Bamyan city in Afghanistan. Courtesy Mohammad Reza Yousefi.

A double explosion in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan claimed 23 lives and injured 58 others, a spokesperson at the Afghan Ministry of Interiors confirmed.

"About 4.40pm today, two large quantities of explosives were detonated in front of the Insaf Market in the bazaar area of ​​the three-way street in Bamyan, killing a traffic officer and 13 civilians," Tariq Arian told The National.

“The two explosions took place less than a kilometre apart. There is a lot of damage and the casualty numbers might rise,” said Mohammad Reza Yousufi, the Bamiyan police spokesman, still at the scene two hours after the blasts.

The attack came as the international community pledged billions to support the country over the next four years after a plea from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

“We were at home when the explosion happened. It was two loud sounds,” said Mohamed Frough, a professor at the Bamyan Teacher Training Institute. Mr Frough rushed to the site of the attack to offer help and witnessed the carnage in a usually peaceful province.

“We have not seen something like this before in this part of the country. We did not expect this,” he said. Mr Frough said he was asked to leave the area because authorities feared there may be another undetonated explosive around. “This was a safe and happy place. We are in shock and grief,” he said.

This is the first such attack in the province since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, Mr Yousufi said. The central province, largely populated by the Afghan Hazara Shiite minority, was considered one of few safe places in Afghanistan.

Bamyan city, known for the large Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban just months before their fall, is a popular tourist destination for locals as well as international tourists.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied responsibility, and condemned the attack on social media platforms. But the insurgent group has increased violence in the past year, despite making a deal with the US administration this year.

“This will create an environment of fear that wasn’t there before in Bamiyan,” Mr Frough said.