Twin bombing kills 24 in Kabul

At least 24 people were killed and 91 others injured when two deadly bombs exploded near the Afghan Defence Ministry here on Monday, authorities said.

The 24 dead included civilians and security personnel, a spokesman for the Public Health Ministry told Xinhua news agency.

The attack took place around 3.30 p.m. when the ministry employees were coming out after a day's work, media reports said.

Ambulances raced the injured to hospitals, witnesses said.

The first explosion was relatively small. As people gathered to find out what was happening, a second but powerful blast took place, according to a tweet by Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary.

The Defence Ministry is located next to the Finance Ministry, the Presidential Palace as well as other key government buildings in the heart of Kabul.

About two weeks ago, 13 people were killed in a suicide attack on the American University in Kabul.

--IANS

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