Suicide bombings are all too common in Afghanistan, some 14 years into the NATO occupation. Today’s bombing took place in Kunduz, which isn’t unusual either, what with the northern province being a center of the Taliban’s spring offensive.
What is noteworthy, however, is that the suicide bomber attacked what officials are calling a “meeting of criminal gangs,” including armed factions which have fought against the military in recent days. The bomber has not been identified, and no one has claimed responsibility for this incident.
29 people were killed in the bombing, including 25 members of armed groups and four civilians. 19 others were wounded in the attack. Interestingly, earlier in the day the Interior Ministry blamed the Taliban and claimed all the slain were civilians.
Some local officials had also claimed the victims were “pro-government militiamen,” while others maintain that they were anti-government fighters. Since the reports of the victims became more nebulous, so too did claims of Taliban responsibility.