A suicide bomber killed at least 40 people at a crowded volleyball match in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, a provincial official said.
Mukhles Afghan, spokesman for the governor of Paktika province, said at least 50 more were wounded in the attack in Yahya Khel district, where residents had gathered to watch a tournament final.
He said most of the casualties were civilians.
The Taliban insurgency and other jihadist militants have unleashed waves of suicide attacks and assassinations in Afghanistan this year, as foreign forces continue to withdraw after 13 years of war.
No one immediately claimed responsibility.
About 12,000 international troops will remain in Afghanistan next year to train and support Afghanistan's security forces.
Paktika was the site of one of this year's deadliest attacks on civilians in July, when 89 people died when a bomb exploded in a crowded market.
The province lies along the border with Pakistan's lawless North Waziristan region.
As foreign troops withdraw, 2014 has been one of the bloodiest years of the war for Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations, which recorded nearly 5,000 deaths and injuries of civilians in the first half of the year.
About three-quarters of those were blamed on the Taliban and its allies.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Suicide bomber kills 40 at volleyball match in Afghanistan
A suicide bomber killed at least 40 people at a crowded volleyball match in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, a provincial official said.
Mukhles Afghan, spokesman for the governor of Paktika province, said at least 50 more were wounded in the attack in Yahya Khel district, where residents had gathered to watch a tournament final.
He said most of the casualties were civilians.
The Taliban insurgency and other jihadist militants have unleashed waves of suicide attacks and assassinations in Afghanistan this year, as foreign forces continue to withdraw after 13 years of war.
No one immediately claimed responsibility.
About 12,000 international troops will remain in Afghanistan next year to train and support Afghanistan's security forces.
Paktika was the site of one of this year's deadliest attacks on civilians in July, when 89 people died when a bomb exploded in a crowded market.
The province lies along the border with Pakistan's lawless North Waziristan region.
As foreign troops withdraw, 2014 has been one of the bloodiest years of the war for Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations, which recorded nearly 5,000 deaths and injuries of civilians in the first half of the year.
About three-quarters of those were blamed on the Taliban and its allies.
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