A deadly bomb exploded in the Afghan capital of Kabul earlier this week, killing at least 28 people and injuring 320.
The incident occurred yesterday (April 19th) during morning rush hour, when the suicide attacker detonated the bomb in a truck next to a government building, according to the Associated Press.
After the blast, fighters from the Taliban – who have taken responsibility for the explosion – ran into the area and began firing weapons.
Speaking with the agency, Kabul’s police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said: “The second attacker engaged security forces in a gun battle before being gunned down.”
The bomb was so strong, it shattered windows one mile away, which highlights the importance of blast protection window film. This reduces the impact of explosions by keeping the window in tact, not only limiting damage to the building but also protecting those inside and outside from harm.
Mr Rahman Rahimi said it was one of the biggest bombs he had ever heard and he could not see or hear for 20 minutes afterwards.
A second explosion went off several hours after the first, thought to be caused by an improvised explosive device.
Speaking with a BBC reporter, Afghan MP Elay Ershad said was it was “as huge as in the morning”. Despite no one being injured or killed in the second explosion, he added: “Everyone [is] scared.”
Yesterday’s explosion was the most lethal attack in Kabul since 2011, when a suicide bomber detonated a device outside a mosque killing 60 people. It was targeted at Shias, as it took place during the Shia Muslim festival of Ashura.
