Twin blasts rock Kabul

Public Health Ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi on Monday said 24 people were killed and 91 wounded in twin bomb attacks in Kabul.

Local media reported the blast near the country's defense ministry. However, an interior ministry official claimed the attacks took place near the president's administrative office.

"The twin bombing occurred near the gate of the Presidential Administrative Office, not the Ministry of Defense," said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet. "First there was an explosion followed by a suicide bombing which killed 10 soldiers and officers," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah said, claiming a higher death toll.

Defense ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanesh said government security forces and civilians that responded to the first blast were caught in the second explosion.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attacks, suggesting that the Taliban have switched to soft targets due to the difficulties posed by the security environment in the capital.

"The enemies of Afghanistan have lost their ability to fight the security and defense forces of the country," he said in a statement.

"That is why they are attacking highways, cities, mosques, schools and common people," Ghani added.

This attack follows a deadly attack on the American University in Kabul that killed 15 people less than two weeks ago. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

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