Ten killed by suicide bomber in Jalalabad

Attacker blew himself up near a petrol station – two security officers among dead

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  Afghan security officials at the scene of a suicide bomb attack that targeted National Directorate of Security soldiers in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on July 10, 2018. EPA

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  A suicide attacker blew himself up near an Afghan security forces vehicle. Reuters

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  Victims receive treatment at a hospital. AFP

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  Security officials inspect the scene of the suicide bomb attack. EPA

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  Firefighters inspect the scene of the suicide bomb attack. EPA

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  Security officials inspect the scene of the suicide bomb attack. EPA

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  At least 10 people including two NDS soldiers were killed and four others were injured in the incident. AFP

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  Firefighters work at the site of the deadly suicide attack. AP Photo

A suicide bomber has killed 10 people and wounded four in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, a day after Taliban insurgents attacked police checkpoints in the west of the country.

Inamullah Miakhel, spokesman for the provincial health department in the eastern Afghanistan city, confirmed the death of 10 people and said the injured were taken to hospital.

Eight civilians, mainly children, and two intelligence officers were killed in the blast. More are feared dead.

The attacker was on foot and targeted security forces when he blew himself up near a petrol station, causing a huge fire.

"I saw a big ball of fire that threw people away. The people were burning," Esmatullah, who witnessed the incident, told AFP.

Most of the victims were children working in a car wash near to the site, Sohrab Qaderi, a member of the provincial council, told Reuters. Victims suffered severe burns.

Meanwhile, in the western province of Farah, Taliban fighters attacked police checkpoints, killing three officers and wounding four.

The attack took place late on Monday in the Bala Buluk district, Mohammad Naser Mehri, spokesman for the provincial governor said.

At least five Taliban insurgents were killed, and seven injured in the gun battle, the spokesman said.

Earlier in July, ISIS claimed responsibility for a suicide bomber who killed 19 mostly Sikhs and Hindus in the city.

More to follow

Read more: Afghanistan: ISIS claims suicide bomb attack on Sikhs and Hindus