Car bombing kills 4 people in Afghanistan

KABUL, 22 July 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: A massive car bombing in the southeast of Afghanistan targeting a local security officer killed at least four people, an official and local media confirmed on Sunday. 

The incident took place in Gardez city, capital of Paktia province, located at a distance of less than 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) from the Afghan capital Kabul.

Deputy Governor Abdul Wali told Anadolu Agency that a commander of the pro-government local security force, Aziz Ahmad, was the target in this IED attack. He confirmed Ahmad was killed and his driver injured in this attack. 

According to the local Salam Afghanistan radio, a total of four people were killed in this attack, close to the regional public hospital in Gardez. 

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. 

This attack came on the heels of an evident escalation of fighting across the country as the U.S. and Taliban are set to resume peace talks in Doha, Qatar later this month. 

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Yousef Al-Othaimeen, in a statement on Sunday expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violence and indiscriminate suicide attacks in Afghanistan. He said that he considers any act of violence deplorable and urged to bring an end to this senseless cycle of violence.