Afghanistan: 19 killed in a blast in Jalalabad, majority of dead are Sikhs

Kabul, July 1: At least 19 people were killed and around 20 injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan's Jalalabad city on Sunday. Among the 19 dead were 12 Sikhs and Hindus, said reports.

The blast is said to have been triggered by a suicide bomber.

The attacker struck a market located hundreds of metres from the provincial governor's compound where Ghani was holding meetings, governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP.

The bombing came hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated a hospital in the city, the provincial capital of Nangarhar.

"Strongly condemn deadly attack by ISI on delegation of Sikhs and others on way to meet Afghan president. Let global community rise in one voice against barbaric forces of terror and vow to wipe out the menace from world. My govt extends all help to the victims and their families," Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh tweeted.

11 bodies have been found. They were going to meet President when the barbaric act took place. We urge Govt of India to make security arrangements for Sikhs&Hindus there: Manjit Singh GK, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief on suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Jalalabad pic.twitter.com/6HWu858YGA

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2018

Inaamullah Miakhel, a spokesman for the provincial health department of Nangarhar, said 19 people had been killed and 20 wounded. Officials said at least 10 of the dead were Sikhs, said reports