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Islamic state claims responsibility for explosion that killed 80 in Kabul

By Daniel Uria
At least 61 people were killed and at least 200 were wounded during a suicide bombing at a protest attended by thousands from the Shia Hazara minority in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Islamic State claimed two suicide bombers detonated explosives in the crowd while a third was killed by security. The group had gathered to protest the government's decision to re-route a power line away from the provinces of Bamiyan and Wardak, which contain large Hazara populations.
 Screen capture/TOLO News/YouTube
At least 61 people were killed and at least 200 were wounded during a suicide bombing at a protest attended by thousands from the Shia Hazara minority in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Islamic State claimed two suicide bombers detonated explosives in the crowd while a third was killed by security. The group had gathered to protest the government's decision to re-route a power line away from the provinces of Bamiyan and Wardak, which contain large Hazara populations. Screen capture/TOLO News/YouTube

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 23 (UPI) -- The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an explosion during a protest in Afghanistan, which killed at least 80 people and left at least 260 more injured.

CNN reports that the death toll in the capital city of Kabul has reached 80 people as the Islamic State claims three suicide bombers carried out the attack in the crowd of protestors.

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According to the BBC, the attack targeted thousands from the Shia Hazara minority who gathered for a protest at Deh Mazang square.

"Two fighters from Islamic State detonated explosive belts at a gathering of Shi'ites in...the city of Kabul in Afghanistan," IS-linked news agency Amaq said, according to Aljazeera.

TOLO News reports that three suicide bombers were present, but security forces killed the third before he was able to detonate his explosives.

The group had gathered, chanting "death to discrimination," in protest of the government's decision to a 500kV power transmission line from Turkmenistan to Kabul power line would no longer pass through the provinces of Bamiyan and Wardak, which contain large Hazara populations.

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Al Jazeera reported the explosion took place suddenly, as the protest was entering its final minutes.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack and defended the people's right to protest peacefully.

"Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but opportunist terrorists infiltrated the crowds and carried out the attack, killing and injuring a number of citizens including some security forces," he said.

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