Afghanistan: 13 killed as suicide bomber strikes election rally

At least 13 people were killed and over 30 injured after a suicide bomber attacked an election rally here on Tuesday, the Provincial Public Health Director Najibullah Kamawal told TOLOnews.

Provincial governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani said that a parliamentary candidate, Nasir Mohmand, had organised the rally to explain his plans to the people in Kama district when the suicide bomber struck.

Sayed Humayoun, who was attending the meeting, told Al Jazeera, "Elders were speaking at the meeting when suddenly there was a huge blast. I was knocked unconscious but when I opened my eyes there were bodies scattered all around the blast area."

Over 2,500 candidates will contest the parliamentary elections on October 20, which is being perceived as the "test-run" for Presidential election due next year.

No party has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing attack so far.