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Afghan Funeral Bombing, Hospital Raid Kill Dozens

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Officials in Afghanistan say a suicide bombing of
   a funeral in an eastern province and a militant raid on a hospital in
   the capital, Kabul, have killed around 40 people and injured scores of
   others.

   The Taliban insurgency quickly denied its involvement in Tuesday's
   violence, prompting suspicions that Islamic State terrorists might have
   plotted the bloodshed.

   IS took credit for Monday's coordinated bomb blasts in Kabul, though
   the violence only caused injuries to few people.

   Authorities in eastern Nangarahar province said scores of people were
   present at the funeral of an influential Afghan community police
   commander when a suicide bomber blew himself up there.

   Separately, a group of unknown gunmen stormed the government-run
   hospital in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul, killing at least 13 people
   and injuring 15 others. Officials said women, children and nurses were
   among the dead and wounded.

   Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Aryan told reporters on Tuesday that
   security forces quickly engaged the assailants and ended the siege
   after hours-long gun battles. He said more than 80 civilians, including
   women and children, had also been rescued in the process. Witnesses and
   officials reported several explosions during the siege.

   The 100-bed hospital largely provides maternal care services with the
   support of Doctors Without Borders, the France-based global
   humanitarian organization. The hospital is located in an area of the
   city with a predominately minority Hazara Shi'ite population.

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