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Suicide Bombing of Wedding Party in Kabul Killed 63

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Authorities in Afghanistan say the death toll has risen to
   more than 63 and injured to 183 in the overnight suicide bombing at a
   packed wedding hall in the capital, Kabul.

   The victims were mostly members of the minority Shi'ite Hazara
   community.

   Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed the casualty
   toll in a statement issued early Sunday, saying women and children were
   among the victims.

   There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the carnage, one
   of the worst attacks against Afghan civilians in recent years.

   The Taliban denied its involvement and condemned the bombing. A
   spokesman for the insurgent group said "such barbaric deliberate
   attacks against civilians including women and children are forbidden
   and unjustifiable."

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