More Than 50 People Killed As Suicide Bombing Rocks Afghan Capital

More than 50 people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted a gathering of scholars celebrating a religious holiday in Kabul on Tuesday, Afghan government officials said.

"A suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a wedding hall where Islamic religious scholars had gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad's birth," Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said, according to Reuters.

At least 80 people were wounded. Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said 20 of those injured were in critical condition and that the death toll was likely to rise, The Associated Press reported.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, NPR's Diaa Hadid reported that the target "suggested it was the work of Sunni extremists who believe any birthday celebration for the prophet Muhammad is idolatry."

Wednesday has been declared a national day of mourning by the Afghan president, according to Hadid. - Read More

More Than 50 People Killed As Suicide Bombing Rocks Afghan Capital