Dozens killed after gunmen attack Kabul ceremony

The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack on the gathering marking the anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed by Taliban fighters in 1995 after being taken prisoner [Anadolu]

The death toll in an attack on a Kabul ceremony marking the anniversary of a slain minority leader has risen to 27, a ministry of health spokesman said on Friday.

"Twenty-seven bodies and 29 wounded transported by ... ambulance so far," Wahidullah Mayar, the health ministry spokesman, told Reuters, adding that the number could increase.

Gunmen attacked the ceremony in the Afghan capital where a top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present but escaped unharmed.

"The attack started with a boom, apparently a rocket landed in the area, Abdullah and some other politicians ... escaped the attack unhurt," Fraidoon Kwazoon, Abdullah's spokesman, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and called it "a crime against humanity".

Broadcaster Tolo News showed live footage of people running for cover as gunfire was heard.

The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack on the gathering marking the anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed in 1995 after being taken prisoner by armed Taliban fighters.

The incident comes less than a week after the United States and the Taliban signed a deal that would pave the way for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months.

However, fighting has continued to rage across the country, casting a pall over hopes that the agreement would lead to a reduction in violence.

Several people were killed in a similar attack on the same commemoration last year. The ISIL (ISIS) group claimed responsibility for that attack.

Hazaras are mostly Shia Muslims who have been repeatedly attacked in Afghanistan.