At least 2 killed in twin explosions in Kabul targeting passenger vans

Kabul, Oct 10 (EFE).- At least two people were killed and four others were injured on Friday in explosions in two separate passenger vehicles in Kabul in a neighborhood dominated by the Shia Hazara minority, which has been frequently targeted by the Islamic State terror group.

The attacks took place in Kabul’s western Police District-6 with a gap of 30 minutes.

The first explosion occurred around 3.30 pm, after a sticky bomb attached to a passenger transport van commonly used in the city went off, the area’s intelligence chief Qari Fatehi said.

“There were two explosions in the Dashe Barche area. In the first explosion two persons were killed and three others were wounded, while in the second only a woman was injured,” Fatehi said.

Interior ministry spokesperson Qari Saeed Khosty confirmed the casualties in a press conference.

An EFE correspondent reached the spot of the first explosions soon after it took place, while the vehicle was still in flames, while passersby were trying to help the victims.

A man with a bloody torso could be seen being taken out from the back side of the van, while another passenger was stuck amid the flames, possibly dead.

The correspondent witnessed two other bodies were lying on the floor a few meters away, while a child with the face blackened by the smoke was crying on the other side of the road.

Taliban officials had arrived in armored vehicles and cordoned off the area.

Similar attacks have occurred repeatedly in the country and triggered fear among the Hazara minority.