9 die in IS suicide attack on Nato convoy in Kabul (Third Lead)

At least eight civilians and an attacker were killed here on Wednesday in a suicide bomb attack on a convoy of the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

The Interior Ministry confirmed the death toll, adding that at least 24 people were wounded.

US Navy Captain William Salvin, spokesman for US Forces-Afghanistan, confirmed that a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) convoy was targeted in Kabul city.

"A coalition MRAP convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber in Kabul this morning. Three coalition service members were wounded. All are in stable condition, and are currently being treated at coalition medical facilities," he was quoted by Tolo News.

The explosion took place near Abdul Haq square in Macroyan area, a densely populated and largely residential area of the city.

Reports indicate that it was a car bomb and that the bomber had waited alongside the road for the convoy to pass.

"Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack killing innocent civilians in Kabul. I condemn the attack and stand in solidarity with the victims," Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah tweeted.

The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Three cars, including one armoured military vehicle, were destroyed and several cars and buildings around the site were damaged by the blast in the area where the US embassy and Supreme Court office are located.

The attack came days after the Taliban militant group started their yearly rebel offensive across the country.

They urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centres regarded as legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government.

Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as 715 civilians were killed and over 1,460 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan in the first three months of this year, according to figures released by the UN mission in the country.

The mission has attributed 62 per cent of the civilian casualties over the period to the Taliban and other insurgent groups, 21 per cent to security forces while the remaining 17 percent were unattributed or caused by explosive remnants of war.

--IANS

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