Xinhua, September 23, 2010

Twin blasts injure 19 in E. Afghanistan

Taliban militants have often been blamed for carrying out such attacks in the past

KABUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Two bomb blasts in a span of few minutes in Jalalabad city, the capital of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, Wednesday night left 19 people injured, provincial administration spokesman said Thursday.

"In a new tactic the anti-government militants planted two explosive devices in a residential area in the city after the first blast happened around 09:00 p.m., security forces rushed to the site but second explosive device went off," Ahmad Zia Abdulzai told Xinhua via cellular phone.

He said the explosions had injured 19 people including 16 civilians and three personnel of security forces.

The twin blasts also damaged a number of shops in the area, he further said.

No groups or individuals have claimed of responsibility for organizing the attacks. Taliban militants have often been blamed for carrying out such attacks in the past.

The hardliner militias who vowed to intensify attacks against government interests have yet to make comments.

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