Several people were killed and injured in an attack on a crowded market in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, according to the United Nations mission in Afghanistan, however Taliban authorities stated they could only confirm ten people were wounded.
“UNAMA condemns today’s strike on a packed bazaar in Nangarhar province, which killed and injured hundreds of civilians, including several children,” the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) wrote on Twitter.
“Afghanistan’s ongoing atrocities on civilians must come to an end quickly.”
The Taliban administration’s chief of media and information for Nangarhar, Quriashi Badloun, acknowledged a bomb, but stated the target remained unknown.
“We have confirmed ten injuries, but no deaths,” Badloun stated.
The Taliban claim to have strengthened security in Afghanistan and reduced terrorist threats since assuming control in August, but Western officials and analysts warn the possibility of a return of extremism remains.
In recent months, the jihadist organization Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a number of assaults.
Since Friday, several explosions have occurred in Afghanistan, including one at a Sikh temple in the capital Kabul, raising international fears over the country’s recent outbreak of violence.
