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JALALABAD, Afghanistan – Extremists in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday bombed a peaceful protest, killing at least 32 people, officials say, the deadliest one in a series of attacks in the province of Nangarhar during the day.
The attacks, which also hit three schools, followed recent attacks by the Islamic State of Afghanistan, which has publicly promised to target educational institutions and attack a midwifery school for seven hours. Jalalabad, capital of the province. in July.
Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar, said the attack of protesters gathered in Momand Dara district, in a rural part of Nangarhar, also caused at least 128 wounded.
Obaidullah Shinwari, deputy head of the provincial council, said the number of victims was probably much higher. "Fifty people were killed and 150 were injured in today's suicide bombing in Momand Dara district," he said.
In the case of the three schools, two high schools for girls and one for boys, bombs were hidden near school buildings. A 14-year-old boy was killed and four people were injured.
The protesters at Momand Dara had rallied to demand the resignation of a police commander, Bilal Pasha, whom they accused of being involved in arbitrary killings, robberies and keeping a private prison. A suicide bomber approached the crowded tent where protesters had gathered and detonated his explosive vest, Khogyani said.
"The suicide bombing came out of a white car and ran to the protesters' tent," said Sayed Qayoom, a witness reached by phone. "He shouted" God is great "and then blew himself up."
None of the four attacks was immediately claimed, but the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State claimed similar attacks against government institutions, international aid groups, sporting events and other targets in the province in recent months. Taliban insurgents, also active in the region, denied any role in Tuesday's attacks.
The last stronghold of the Islamic State in Afghanistan is in the southern part of Nangarhar, where US and Afghan forces have carried out numerous operations against the group and reduced the areas it controls. Activists reacted by carrying out attacks in urban centers and against slightly defended targets.
Tuesday's attacks brought to six the number of schools attacked in the province in recent months. Islamic State has claimed earlier episodes.
Taliban insurgents are responsible for most of the growing number of victims in Afghanistan. In addition to fighting on the front lines against Afghan national forces and trying to capture territory, the group often leads deadly attacks in major cities. But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied in a WhatsApp message that the group had played a role in Tuesday's attacks.
ISIS insurgents have vowed to attack schools in the province in retaliation for US bombing campaigns against their forces.
Zabihullah Ghazi reported from Jalalabad, and Fahim Abed from Kabul, Afghanistan. Rod Nordland contributed to the Kabul report.
