Afghanistan’s centenary Independence Day celebrations on Monday were marred by explosions in the eastern city of Jalalabad, which wounded scores.
The attacks came as Afghans were still reeling from the brutal ISIS attack on a wedding celebration in Kabul two days earlier, which killed 63 civilians and injured 185.
The Afghan Health Ministry said 66 people were injured when six bombs detonated across the central market in Jalalabad, capital of the eastern province of Nangarhar where ISIS and Taliban insurgents are active.
Several children who were out taking part in the independence celebrations were among the wounded, the ministry said.
In another attack, rockets were fired at independence day celebrations in the neighbouring province of Laghman, injuring six people.
The heightened security threat, especially against civilian gatherings, has angered Afghans.
“Those who attacked today’s celebration are actually afraid of democracy and don’t have any respect for the people’s emotions,” Mohammad Ilyas, an activist who lives in Jalalabad, told The National.
Despite the deadly bombing on Saturday night, citizens poured on to the streets of Kabul in a display of national pride.
Read full report on The National UAE
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